Agricultural seeder implements

ABSTRACT

An agricultural seeder implement includes an opener, a seed boot mounted to the opener, and a closer mounted to the opener. The opener is for cutting a furrow, the seed boot is for depositing seeds in the furrow, and the closer is for distributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in the furrow by the seed boot.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agricultural implements and, moreparticularly, to agricultural seeder implements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an agricultural air seeder, seeds are conveyed by an air stream froma central hopper to a number of seeding elements, carried by a frame,that inject the seed into furrows cut into the ground by ground cuttingelements. Air seeders of this type use a plate or a cutting sweepcarried at each of the seeding elements by the frame that cuts a furrowin the ground into which the seeds are deposited. The depth of seedingis of fundamental importance to seed germination and must be accuratelycontrolled. The seed must be properly placed at a preselected spacingfrom the soil surface dependent upon soil surface and sub-surfacemoisture conditions in order to achieve optimum seed germination. Duringthe seeding process, fertilizer banding is customary, which is theconcurrent application of a fertilizer adjacent to the applied seeds sothat the roots can access the fertilizer during germination.Accordingly, it is common to deliver fertilizer near the seeding elementfor conveying fertilizer to a position adjacent to the seeds during theseeding process. It is undesirable to place the fertilizer directly withthe seeds due to the chemical burning effect which can occur. Afterdepositing the seeds and fertilizer, expeditious coverage of the seedsand fertilizer in the furrow with soil is important to reduce seed andfertilizer loss. Although skilled artisans have developed varieties ofsystems designed to attempt to improve controlled seeding depth andconcurrent fertilizer banding, advances in the field of air seeders havenot been entirely satisfactory, and have yielded air seeders that areprohibitively expensive, difficult to construct, difficult to service,and mechanically complex, thereby necessitating continued improvement inthe art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural seederimplement includes a seed boot connected directly to an opener having aleading extremity and a trailing extremity. The seed boot and the openerform a channel and an outlet. The channel extends forwardly from aninlet of the seed boot proximate to the trailing extremity of the openerto the outlet behind the leading extremity of the opener. The opener isfor being pulled for cutting a furrow in the ground by the leadingextremity ahead of the outlet, and the channel is for guiding a streamof air-driven seed forwardly therethrough from the inlet and into thefurrow through the outlet directed downwardly in the furrow. The seedboot is removably connected directly to the opener. The opener is achisel, which is a form of a non-moving and non-rotating opener. Thechannel is downturned proximate to the outlet for guiding the stream ofair-driven seed downwardly into the furrow through the outlet. The seedboot has a deflector, which is behind the outlet and is forconsolidating the stream of air-driven seed downwardly into the furrowin a region rearwardly of the outlet. A fertilizer tube is connected tothe seed boot for applying fertilizer into the furrow rearwardly of theseed boot.

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural seederimplement includes a seed boot having an inlet and an outlet to a shooton either side of the seed boot. The seed boot is connected directly toan opener having a leading extremity and a trailing extremity. The seedboot and the opener form a channel. The channel extends forwardly fromthe inlet of the seed boot proximate to the trailing extremity of theopener to the outlet of the seed boot pointing rearwardly behind theleading extremity of the opener. The opener is for being pulled forcutting a furrow in the ground by the leading extremity ahead of theoutlet, and the channel is for guiding a stream of air-driven seedforwardly therethrough from the inlet. The channel is in-turnedproximate to the outlet for re-directing the stream of air-driven seedrearwardly to the outlet, and each said shoot is for receiving theair-driven stream of seed from the outlet and guiding the stream ofair-driven seed rearwardly into the furrow on either side of the seedboot. The seed boot is removably connected directly to the opener. Theopener is a chisel, which is a form of a non-moving and non-rotatingopener. The outlet is enclosed within the seed boot. A fertilizer tubeis connected to the seed boot for applying fertilizer into the furrowrearwardly of each said shoot.

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural seederimplement includes a seed boot connected directly to an opener having aleading extremity and a trailing extremity. The seed boot has an inlet,an outlet to a shoot on either side of the seed boot, and a channel thatextends forwardly through the seed boot from the inlet of the seed bootproximate to the trailing extremity of the opener to the outlet of theseed boot behind the leading extremity of the opener. The opener is forbeing pulled for cutting a furrow in the ground by the leading extremityahead of the outlet, and the channel is for guiding a stream ofair-driven seed forwardly therethrough the seed boot from the inlet. Thechannel is in-turned proximate to the outlet for re-directing the streamof air-driven seed rearwardly to the outlet, and each said shoot is forreceiving the air-driven stream of seed from the outlet and guiding thestream of air-driven seed rearwardly into the furrow on either side ofthe seed boot. The seed boot is removably connected directly to theopener. The opener is a chisel, which is a form of a non-moving andnon-rotating opener. The outlet is enclosed within the seed boot. Afertilizer tube is connected to the seed boot for applying fertilizerinto the furrow forwardly of each said shoot.

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural seederimplement includes a seed boot having an inlet and an outlet to a shooton either side of the seed boot. Each said shoot has a deflector oneither side of the seed boot. The seed boot is connected directly to anopener having a leading extremity and a trailing extremity. The seedboot and the opener form a channel. The channel extends forwardly fromthe inlet of the seed boot proximate to the trailing extremity of theopener to the outlet of the seed boot behind the leading extremity ofthe opener. The opener is for being pulled for cutting a furrow in theground by the leading extremity ahead of the outlet, and the channel isfor guiding a stream of air-driven seed forwardly therethrough from theinlet to the outlet. Each said shoot is for receiving the air-drivenstream of seed from the outlet and guiding the stream of air-driven seedrearwardly to the deflector thereof, and the deflector of each saidshoot is for deflecting the stream of air-driven seed downwardly intothe furrow on either side of the seed boot. The seed boot is removablyconnected directly to the opener. The opener is a chisel, which is aform of a non-moving and non-rotating opener. The outlet is enclosedwithin the seed boot. A fertilizer tube is connected to the seed bootfor applying fertilizer into the furrow forwardly of the outlet and eachsaid shoot.

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural seederimplement includes an opener for cutting a furrow, a seed boot, mountedto the opener, for depositing seeds in the furrow, and a closer, mountedto the opener, for distributing loosened soil over seeds deposited inthe furrow by the seed boot. The closer includes a frame mounted to theopener, and a pair of closing disks, mounted to the frame, fordistributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in the furrow by theseed boot. The frame is mounted pivotally to the opener for movementbetween a first position and a second position. The pair of closingdisks is in a lowered position, when the frame is in the first position.The pair of closing disks is in a raised position, when the frame is inthe second position. An element is carried by the frame, and a firstcomplemental element and a second complemental element are carried bythe opener. The frame is disabled from moving beyond the first positiondisabling the pair of closing disks from moving beyond the loweredposition, when the element is engaged to the first complemental elementwhen the frame is in the first position. The frame is disabled frommoving beyond the second position disabling the pair of closing disksfrom moving beyond the raised position, when the element is engaged tothe second complemental element when the frame is in the secondposition.

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural seederimplement includes an opener for cutting a furrow, a seed boot, mountedto the opener, for depositing seeds in the furrow, a frame mounted tothe opener, and a first disk and a second disk each mounted to theframe. The first disk and the second disk are each adjustable between aclosing position and an opening position. The first disk and the seconddisk are for distributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in thefurrow by the seed boot, when the first disk and the second disk areeach in the closing position. The first disk and the second disk are fordistributing loosened soil away from the furrow, when the first disk andthe second disk are each in the opening position. The frame is mountedpivotally to the opener for movement between a first position and asecond position. The first disk and the second disk are each in alowered position, when the frame is in the first position. The firstdisk and the second disk are each in a raised position, when the frameis in the second position. An element is carried by the frame, and afirst complemental element and a second complemental element are carriedby the opener. The frame is disabled from moving beyond the firstposition disabling the pair of closing disks from moving beyond thelowered position, when the element is engaged to the first complementalelement when the frame is in the first position. The frame is disabledfrom moving beyond the second position disabling the pair of closingdisks from moving beyond the raised position, when the element isengaged to the second complemental element when the frame is in thesecond position.

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural seederimplement includes an opener for cutting a furrow, a seed boot, mountedto the opener, for depositing seeds in the furrow, a first support and asecond support mounted to the opener, the first support is adjacent to afirst side of the opener, the second support is adjacent to a secondside of the opener, a first closing disk mounted to the first supportadjacent to the first side of the opener, a second closing disk mountedto the second support adjacent to the second side of the opener, and thefirst closing disk and the second closing disk are for distributingloosened soil over seeds deposited in the furrow by the seed boot. Thefirst support and the second support are each mounted pivotally to theopener for movement between a first position and a second position. Thefirst closing disk and the second closing disk are each in a loweredposition, when the first support and the second support are each in thefirst position. The first closing disk and the second closing disk areeach in a raised position, when the first support and the second supportare each in the second position. An element is carried by the firstsupport and the second support, and a first complemental element and asecond complemental element are carried by the opener. The first supportand the second support are disabled from moving beyond the firstpositions thereof disabling the first disk and the second disk frommoving beyond the lowered positions thereof, when the element is engagedto the first complemental element when the first support and the secondsupport are in the first positions thereof. The first support and thesecond support are disabled from moving beyond the second positionsthereof disabling the first disk and the second disk from moving beyondthe raised positions thereof, when the element is engaged to the secondcomplemental element when the first support and the second support arein the second positions thereof. The element extends from the firstsupport and through a slot in the opener to the second support. The slotis elongate and extends from a first end wall to a second end wall. Theelement travels through the slot between the first end wall and thesecond end wall when the first support and the second support pivotbetween the first and second positions thereof. The first end wall isthe first complemental element, and the second end wall is the secondcomplemental element. The element is a bolt assembly connecting thefirst support to the second support.

According to the principle of the invention, an agricultural seederimplement includes an opener for cutting a furrow, a seed boot, mountedto the opener, for depositing seeds in the furrow, a first support and asecond support mounted to the opener, the first support is adjacent to afirst side of the opener, the second support is adjacent to a secondside of the opener, a first disk mounted to the first support, and asecond disk mounted to the second support. The first disk and the seconddisk are each adjustable between a closing position and an openingposition. The first disk and the second disk for distributing loosenedsoil over seeds deposited in the furrow by the seed boot, when the firstdisk and the second disk are each in the closing position. The firstdisk and the second disk for distributing loosened soil away from thefurrow, when the first disk and the second disk are each in the openingposition. The first support and the second support are each mountedpivotally to the opener for movement between a first position and asecond position. The first disk and the second disk are each in alowered position, when the first support and the second support are eachin the first position. The first disk and the second disk are each in araised position, when the first support and the second support are eachin the second position. An element is carried by the first support andthe second support, and a first complemental element and a secondcomplemental element are carried by the opener. The first support andthe second support are disabled from moving beyond the first positionsthereof disabling the first disk and the second disk from moving beyondthe lowered positions thereof, when the element is engaged to the firstcomplemental element when the first support and the second support arein the first positions thereof. The first support and the second supportare disabled from moving beyond the second positions thereof disablingthe first disk and the second disk from moving beyond the raisedpositions thereof, when the element is engaged to the secondcomplemental element when the first support and the second support arein the second positions thereof. The element extends from the firstsupport and through a slot in the opener to the second support. The slotis elongate and extends from a first end wall to a second end wall. Theelement travels through the slot between the first end wall and thesecond end wall when the first support and the second support pivotbetween the first and second positions thereof. The first end wall isthe first complemental element, and the second end wall is the secondcomplemental element. The element is a bolt assembly connecting thefirst support to the second support.

Consistent with the foregoing summary of illustrative embodiments, andthe ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, theinvention also contemplates associated apparatus and method embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an agricultural seeder implementconstructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of theinvention, the agricultural seeder implement includes a seed boot anddeflectors connected to an opener, and is shown as it would appearconnected to a shank in preparation for use of the agricultural seederimplement for sowing a crop;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the agricultural seeder implementof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front exploded perspective view of the agricultural seederimplement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5-8 are perspective views of the agricultural seeder implement ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the seed boot of theagricultural seeder implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the seed boot of the agriculturalseeder implement of FIG. 1, with portions thereof depicted in dashedoutline to better illustrate the components thereof;

FIG. 12 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIGS. 5-8with portions of the seed boot of the agricultural seeder implementbroken away for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 13 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1showing a left side deflector thereof in a lowered position;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 13 showing the left sidedeflector in a raised position;

FIG. 15 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 14 depicting theagricultural seeder implement as it would appear in use;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of anagricultural seeder implement constructed and arranged in accordancewith the principle of the invention, the agricultural seeder implementincludes a seed boot connected to an opener mounted to a shank with abuckle assembly in preparation for use of the agricultural seederimplement for sowing a crop;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are rear perspective views of the agricultural seederimplement of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a front exploded perspective view of the agricultural seederimplement of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 16;

FIG. 22 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 16;

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the seed boot of theagricultural seeder implement of FIG. 16;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the seed boot of the agriculturalseeder implement of FIG. 16, with portions thereof depicted in dashedoutline for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 25 is a left side schematic representation of the agriculturalseeder implement of FIG. 16;

FIG. 26 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 shownas it would appear in use;

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view of yet another embodiment of anagricultural seeder implement constructed and arranged in accordancewith the principle of the invention, the agricultural seeder implementincludes a seed boot connected to an opener mounted to a shank inpreparation for use of the agricultural seeder implement for sowing acrop;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the agricultural seederimplement of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view illustrating a plate of the openerand the seed boot connected to the plate all of the agricultural seederimplement of FIG. 27, with portions of the seed boot depicted in dashedoutline to better illustrate the components thereof;

FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the seed boot of theagricultural seeder implement of FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a left side elevation view of the opener and the seed bootconnected to the plate all of the agricultural seeder implement of FIG.27, with portions thereof broken away and shown in dashed outline forillustrative purposes;

FIG. 32 is a bottom plan view of the seed boot connected to a plate ofthe opener of the agricultural seeder implement of FIG. 27;

FIG. 33 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a rear perspective view of yet still another embodiment of anagricultural seeder implement constructed and arranged in accordancewith the principle of the invention, the agricultural seeder implementincludes a seed boot connected to an opener mounted to a shank with abuckle assembly in preparation for use of the agricultural seederimplement for sowing a crop;

FIG. 35 is a left side elevation view of the opener and the seed bootconnected to the opener of the agricultural seeder implement of FIG. 34,with portions thereof broken away and shown in dashed outline forillustrative purposes;

FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of yet a further embodiment of anagricultural seeder implement constructed and arranged in accordancewith the principle of the invention, the agricultural seeder implementincludes a seed boot connected to an opener mounted to a shank with abuckle assembly in preparation for use of the agricultural seederimplement for sowing a crop;

FIG. 37 is a left side elevation view of the opener and the seed bootconnected to the opener of the agricultural seeder implement of FIG. 36,with portions thereof broken away and shown in dashed outline forillustrative purposes;

FIG. 38 is a rear perspective view of still yet another embodiment of anagricultural seeder implement constructed and arranged in accordancewith the principle of the invention, the agricultural seeder implementincludes a seed boot connected to an opener mounted to a shank inpreparation for use of the agricultural seeder implement for sowing acrop;

FIG. 39 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view of the seed boot of FIG. 38;

FIG. 41 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 38, withportions thereof broken away and shown in dashed outline forillustrative purposes;

FIG. 43 is a left side perspective view of still a further embodiment ofan agricultural seeder implement constructed and arranged in accordancewith the principle of the invention, the agricultural seeder implementis shown as it would appear in use and includes an opener for cutting afurrow, a seed boot, mounted to the opener, for depositing seeds in thefurrow, a frame mounted to the opener, and a left side disk and a rightside disk mounted to the frame and shown as they would appear in closingpositions for distributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in thefurrow by the seed boot;

FIG. 44 is a right side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 43, theopposite right side elevation view being substantially the same thereof;

FIG. 46 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 43;

FIG. 47 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 43;

FIG. 48 is a left side perspective view of the agricultural seederimplement of FIG. 43, the first disk and the second disk being shown inlowered positions, respectively, corresponding to a lowered position ofthe frame;

FIG. 49 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 48, theopposite right side elevational view being substantially the samethereof;

FIG. 50 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 48;

FIG. 51 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 48, includingdashed line positions of the left side disk and the right side disk asthey would appear in opening positions for distributing loosened soilaway from a furrow;

FIG. 52 is a left side perspective view of the agricultural seederimplement corresponding to FIG. 48, the first disk and the second diskbeing shown in raised positions, respectively, corresponding to a raisedposition of the frame;

FIG. 53 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 52, theopposite right side elevational view being substantially the samethereof;

FIG. 54 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 52;

FIG. 55 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view corresponding toFIG. 48 illustrating a bolt assembly, coupled to the frame, applied to adashed line illustration of an elongate, arcuate groove, the boltassembly being shown as it would appear in relation to the elongate,arcuate groove in the lowered position of the frame;

FIG. 56 is a view similar to that of FIG. 55 illustrating the boltassembly in relation to the dashed line illustration of the elongate,arcuate groove in the raised position of the frame corresponding to FIG.52;

FIG. 57 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevation view of the openercorresponding to FIGS. 55 and 56 illustrating dashed linerepresentations of the bolt assembly relative to the elongate, arcuategroove corresponding to the lowered position of the frame in FIG. 55 andthe raised position of the frame in FIG. 56;

FIG. 58 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top perspective view of theembodiment of FIG. 48 illustrating the left side disk carried by a leftside support of the frame, and the right side disk carried by a rightside support of the frame;

FIG. 59 is an enlarged, fragmentary, bottom perspective view of the leftside support corresponding to FIG. 58;

FIG. 60 is a view similar to FIG. 58 illustrating the left and rightside disks as they would appear in closing positions, and a dashed linerepresentation of the left side disk as it would appear in an openingposition;

FIG. 61 is a view corresponding to FIG. 60 illustrating the left sidedisk in the opening position;

FIG. 62 is an enlarged, fragmentary view corresponding to FIG. 58illustrating an outer end of an inner member of the left side supportdetached from an inner end of outer member of the left side subassembly, and the left side disk carried by the outer member of the leftside support;

FIG. 63 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the left side supportcorresponding to FIG. 62 illustrating the relationship between the outerend of the inner member and the inner end of the outer member in theclosing position of the left side disk;

FIG. 64 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the left side supportcorresponding to FIG. 62 illustrating the relationship between the outerend of the inner member and the inner end of the outer member in anopening position of the left side disk;

FIG. 65 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the left side supportcorresponding illustrating the relationship between the outer end of theinner member and the inner end of the outer member at an intermediateposition of the left side disk between the closing position of the leftside disk in FIG. 63 and the opening position of the left side disk inFIG. 64; and

FIG. 66 is a view similar to FIG. 61 illustrating the left side disk inan extreme opening position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification describes in detail a variety of agricultural seederimplements useful for sowing crops. The various embodiments of theinvention incorporate conventional nut-and-bolt assemblies, or simplybolt assemblies, each including a bolt consisting of a shank or shafthaving an end formed with an enlarged bolt head and an opposedexternally threaded end, and an internally threaded nut that threadsonto and secures the externally threaded end. A washer for spreading theapplied load may be applied under each bolt head and under eachinternally threaded nut. The bolts of the various nut-and-boltassemblies are installed through appropriate holes or openings formed inthe various parts of the implements, and are assembled with thecorresponding threaded nuts to secure parts together. While the variousnut-and-bolt assemblies are discussed in detail in this specificationfor descriptive purposes, the use of nut-and-bolt assemblies forfastening is well-known to the skilled artisan. When a nut-and-boltassembly is applied to structural elements to be fastened, the bolt isreceived by corresponding openings in the structural elements, which aresecured between the bolt head located on one side of one of thestructural elements and the threaded nut located on an opposing side ofthe opposed structural element. A double threaded bolt having a nutthreaded onto either end of the threaded bolt is also a type of boltassembly that is intended to be included within the broad definition ofnut-and-bolt assembly, or simply bolt assembly, as used herein.

I.

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is firstdirected to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which there is seen an agricultural seederimplement 50, including seed boot 51 and deflectors 52 connected toopener 53, shown as it would appear assembled and suspended from a shank54 of a plow frame (not shown) in preparation for use of implement 50for sowing a crop. Opener 53 is a chisel, which is a form of anon-moving and non-rotating opener for being pulled by a tractor forcutting a furrow in the ground at a preselected depth from the surfaceof the ground, and seed boot 51 connected to opener 53 is for receivinga stream of air-driven seed and depositing said stream of air-drivenseed into the furrow formed by opener 53.

Opener 53 is an assembly of blade or plate 60 and cutting head 61. InFIGS. 3 and 4, plate 60 is flat and straight in a vertical direction,and is stout, strong, robust, and of substantial construction beingformed of steel or other metal having inherently strong and resilientmaterial characteristics. Plate 60 includes leading extremity 64,trailing extremity 65, and upper extremity 66 and lower extremity 67that extend between leading extremity 64 and trailing extremity 65.Lower extremity extends along the lower portions of plate 60 fromtrailing extremity 65 to leading extremity 64. Lower extremity 67 hasundersurface 68. Undersurface 68 extends from trailing extremity 65 andtoward leading extremity 64 to edge 69A of downturned prominence 69 oflower extremity 67, downturned prominence 69, and edge 69A thereof,being located between leading extremity 64 and trailing extremity 65 andbeing nearer to leading extremity 64 than to trailing extremity 65.

Cutting head 61 is stout, strong, robust, and of substantialconstruction like that of plate 60, being formed of cast iron in thisexample or other selected metal material having inherently strong andresilient material characteristics, and is structured to be attached to,and carried by, leading extremity 64 of plate 60 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2for cutting into the ground to form a furrow therein in the use ofimplement 50. In FIGS. 3 and 4, cutting head 61 has leading extremity70, which is a wedge-like cutting edge to cut into the ground, andtrailing extremity 71 that is adapted to be connected to leadingextremity 64. Slot 72 in trailing extremity 71 accepts leading extremity74 of plate 60 so as to align holes 74 formed in trailing extremity 71of cutting head 61 on either side of hole 75 formed in leading extremity64 of plate 60. Upper and lower portions of trailing extremity 71 ofcutting head 61 are received in opposed cutout pockets 64A and 64B,denoted in FIGS. 3 and 4, formed in upper and lower sides of leadingextremity 64, and this serves to seat cutting head 61 in place onleading extremity 64 of plate 60 in preparation for securing cuttinghead 61 to leading extremity 65. FIGS. 5-8 show an upper portion oftrailing extremity 71 of cutting head 61 received up against cutoutpocket 64A, and FIGS. 6 and 8 show a lower portion of trailing extremity71 of cutting head 61 received up against cutout pocket 64B.

A spring pin 77, also called a tension pin or a roll pin, is aconventional mechanical fastener that secures the position of cuttinghead 61 to leading extremity 64 of plate 60. Conventionally, spring pin77 has a body diameter which is larger than the hole diameter of holes74 formed in trailing extremity 71 of cutting head 61 and the holediameter of corresponding hole 75 formed in leading extremity 64 ofplate 60. Spring pin 77 has the customary chamfer on either one or bothends to facilitate starting spring pin 77 into one of holes 74, and thenspring pin 77 is forcibly driven, such as with a hammer or ram, intohole 75 of plate 60 and holes 74 of cutting head 61 on either side ofhole 75, and the spring action of spring pin 77 allows it to compress asit assumes the hole diameters of the respective holes 74 and 75. Theradial force exerted by spring pin 77 against the hole walls of therespective holes 74 and 75 concurrently retains it in the holes 74 and75, whereby spring pin 77 acts as a self-retaining fastener releasablyor otherwise removably connecting cutting head 61 to leading extremity64 of plate 60. FIGS. 1, 2, 5-9, and 12-15 show cutting head 61connected to plate 60. The described connection of cutting head 61 toplate 60 is a non-destructive releasable or removablecoupling/connection, which allows cutting head 61 to be removed fromleading extremity 64 of plate 60, such as for replacement or repair,simply by reversing the installation operation by forcibly removingspring pin 77 from the respective holes 74 and 75, such as with a hammeror ram, and separating cutting head 61 from leading extremity 64 ofplate 60, all without the need to destroy cutting head 61 or plate 60 inthe detaching process. The assembly of cutting head 61 and plate 60 formopener 53. When so assembled, leading extremity 70 of cutting head 61defines the leading extremity of opener 53, and trailing extremity 65 ofplate 60 defines the trailing extremity of opener 53.

Upper extremity 66 is structured to be concurrently connected todeflectors 52 and shank 54 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with nut-and-boltassemblies 90. Like plate 60, deflectors 52 are stout, strong, robust,and of substantial construction being formed of steel or other metalhaving inherently strong and resilient material characteristics. InFIGS. 3 and 4, upper extremity 66 is formed with a pair of verticallyaligned upper and lower bolt holes 80 and 81, and each deflector 52 isformed with a corresponding pair of vertically aligned upper and lowerelongate bolt holes 83 and 84. Deflectors 52 are positioned on eitherside of plate 60 so as to align upper bolt hole 80 of plate 60 withupper elongate bolt hole 83 of each said deflector 52 and to align lowerbolt hole 81 of plate 60 with lower elongate bolt hole 84 of each saiddeflector 52 in preparation for removably connecting deflectors 52 toplate 60 and removably connecting implement 50 to shank 54 with upperand lower nut-and-bolt assemblies 90A and 90B, and deflectors 52 extenddownwardly along either side of plate 60 rearwardly from trailingextremity 65 of plate 60 of opener 53 and angularly outwardly fromeither side of plate 60 of opener 53 in FIG. 9. Each nut-and-boltassembly 90 includes bolt 91, consisting of a shank 92 having an endformed with an enlarged bolt head 93 and an opposed externally threadedend 94, and an internally threaded nut 95 that threads onto and securesthe externally threaded end 94. Deflectors 52 and plate 60 arepositioned alongside shank 54 so as to locate an innermost one ofdeflectors 52 directly against a flattened side of shank 54 so as toalign an upper bolt hole of shank 54 with aligned upper elongate boltholes 83 of each said deflector 52 and upper bolt hole 80 of plate 60,and so as to align a lower bolt hole of shank 54 with aligned lowerelongate bolt holes 84 of each said deflector 52 and lower bolt hole 81of plate 60. The externally threaded end 94 of bolt 91 of uppernut-and-bolt assembly 90A is concurrently inserted through the upperbolt hole of shank 54 and through upper elongate bolt hole 83 of theinnermost deflector 52, upper bolt hole 80 of plate 60, and throughupper elongate bolt hole 83 of the outermost deflector 52. Theinternally threaded nut 95 of upper nut-and-bolt assembly 90A isthreaded onto externally threaded end 94 of bolt 91 of uppernut-and-bolt assembly 90A, and is tightened via rotation securing plate60 and deflectors 52 to shank 54 between bolt head 93 located on theouter side of shank 54 and internally threaded nut 95 located on theouter side of the outermost one of deflectors 52. The externallythreaded end 94 of bolt 91 of lower nut-and-bolt assembly 90B isconcurrently inserted through the lower bolt hole of shank 54 andthrough lower elongate bolt hole 84 of the innermost deflector 52, lowerbolt hole 81 of plate 60, and through lower elongate bolt hole 84 of theoutermost deflector 52. The internally threaded nut 95 of lowernut-and-bolt assembly 90B is threaded onto externally threaded end 94 ofbolt 91 of lower nut-and-bolt assembly 90B, and is tightened viarotation further securing plate 60 and deflectors 52 to shank 54 betweenbolt head 93 located on the outer side of shank 54 and internallythreaded nut 95 located on the outer side of the outermost one ofdeflectors 52. This fastening together of deflectors 52, plate 60 ofopener 53, and shank 54 via nut-and-bolt assemblies 90 releasably orotherwise removably secures implement 50 to shank 54, whereby implement50 is suspended from shank 54 in FIGS. 1 and 2. To detach implement 50from shank 50, the described operation of connecting implement 50 toshank 54 need only be reversed.

In FIGS. 3, 4, 10, and 11, seed boot 51 is elongate and is stout,strong, robust, and of substantial construction being formed of steel orother metal having inherently strong and resilient materialcharacteristics. Seed boot 51 includes opposed, parallel and identicalside sheets 100 rigidly affixed to either side of base 110. Each sidesheet 100 has leading end 101, trailing end 102, upper and lower edges103 and 104 that extend from leading end 101 to trailing end 102, cutout105 in upper edge 103 proximate to trailing end 102, and stanchion 106at trailing end 102 that extends upright from upper edge 103. Sidesheets 100 are located on either side of base 110, and are rigidlyaffixed to base 110 via welding near the respective lower edges 104.Side sheets 100 are spaced apart so as to define space 108 therebetweenin FIGS. 3, 4, and 11, and are axially aligned, are parallel relative toeach other, and extend upright from either side of base 110 from loweredges 104 to upper edges 103, and stanchions 106 extend upright fromupper edges 103 at rear extremities 102 of side sheets 100 and areparallel relative to each other.

Base 110 is elongate and has trailing end 111 axially aligned withtrailing ends 102 of side sheets 100, and extends forwardly towardleading ends 101 of side sheets 100 concurrently with lower edges 104 toa leading end 112 that is short of, or otherwise inboard of, leadingends 101 of side sheets 100, such that the leading ends 101 of sidesheets 100 form a forked end of seed boot 51. Base 110 has upper surface114 and lower surface 115 that extend along the length of base 110 fromtrailing end 111 to leading end 112. Cutouts 105 are axially aligned andcooperate to form an inlet of seed boot 51 proximate to trailing ends102 of side sheets 100 just inside of trailing end 111 of base 110, saidinlet being denoted at 107 in FIG. 11. A vertical conduit 117 isrigidity affixed to cutouts 105 via welding forwardly of stanchions 106,and is for guiding a stream of air-driven seed into seed boot 51 throughinlet 107. For reference purposes, leading ends 101 of side sheets 100define the leading end of seed boot 51, and trailing ends 102 of sidesheets 100 and trailing end 111 of base 110 define the trailing end ofseed boot 51.

In implement 50, seed boot 51 is removably connected directly to opener53 and, more particularly, directly to plate 60 of opener 53. Seed boot51 is removably connected to lower extremity 67 of plate 60 so as to besuspended from lower extremity 67 of plate 60. Seed boot 51 extendsalong lower extremity 67 of plate 60 from leading ends 101 of sidesheets 100 just behind cutting head 61 connected to leading extremity 64to trailing ends 102 of side sheets 100 and trailing end 111 of base 100behind trailing extremity 65 of plate 60 of opener 53 and squarelybetween deflectors 52 in the assembly of implement 50 as best shown inFIG. 9. Specifically, seed boot 51 is aligned with lower extremity 67 ofplate 60 so as to align a length of lower extremity 67 of plate 60 fromtrailing extremity 65 to and including downturned prominence 69 withspace 108 between side sheets 100 extending from conduit 117 applied tocutouts 105 to leading ends 101 of side sheets 100. The described lengthof lower extremity 67 of plate 60 from trailing extremity 65 to andincluding downturned prominence 69 is partially inserted into space 108of seed boot 51 between upper edges 103 of side sheets 100 so as tolocate a dimension of side sheets 100 extending downwardly from upperedges 103 of side sheets 100 on either side of plate 60 and align eachhole 120 of a row such holes 120 formed in lower extremity 67 of plate60 with a corresponding pair of axially-aligned holes 121 of a row ofsuch axially-aligned pairs of holes 121 formed in side sheets 100 nearupper edges 103. The row of holes 120 in lower extremity 67 of plate 60extend between trailing extremity 65 and downturned prominence 69. Therow of axially-aligned pairs of holes 121 in side sheets 100 are nearupper edges 103 and extend between cutouts 105 defining inlet 107 andleading ends 101 of side sheets 100.

Spring pins 77 are installed in each set of three aligned holes,including one hole 120 of plate 60 that is between and aligned with acorresponding pair of axially-aligned holes 121 of seed boot 51. Springpins 77 are forcibly driven in place into each said set of three alignedholes, such as with a hammer or ram, and the spring action of springpins 77 allows them to compress as it assumes the hole diameter of eachone of holes 120 and 121 hole of each said set of three aligned holes.The radial force exerted by spring pins 77 against the hole wall of eachone of said holes 120 and 121 of each said set of three aligned holesconcurrently retains it in the holes 120 and 121, whereby spring pins 77acts as a self-retaining fasteners releasably or otherwise removablyconnecting seed boot 51 at side sheets 100 on either side of plate 60 tolower extremity 67 of plate 60. FIGS. 1, 2, 5-8, and 12-15 show seedboot 51 connected to plate 60. The described connection of seed boot 51to plate 60 is a non-destructive releasable or removably coupling, whichallows seed boot 51 to be removed from lower extremity 67 of plate 60for replacement or repair by reversing the installation operation, suchas by forcibly removing spring pins 77 from each said set of threealigned holes, such as with a hammer or ram, and separating seed boot 51from lower extremity 67 of plate 60, without the need to destroy seedboot 51 or plate 60 in the detaching process.

With seed boot 51 so installed on plate 60 of opener 53, seed boot 51 issuspended from lower extremity 67 under undersurface 68 of plate 60 asshown in FIG. 12 and behind cutting head 61 connected to leadingextremity 64 of plate 60 so as to follow cutting head 61 applied toleading extremity 64 of plate 60 of opener 53. In FIG. 12, seed boot 51extends forwardly from inlet 107 of the trailing end of seed boot 51located behind trailing extremity 65 of plate 60 to the leading end ofseed boot defined by leading ends 101 of side sheets 100 at downturnedprominence 69 in FIGS. 6 and 8 behind trailing extremity 71 of cuttinghead 61 in FIGS. 1, 2, 5-8, and 13-15. In FIG. 12, conduit 117 extendsinto inlet 107 and extends upright therefrom between trailing extremity65 of plate 60 of opener 53 and trailing end 111 of base 110 squarelybetween deflectors 52 in the assembly of implement 50 as in FIG. 9. Base110, in turn, extends forwardly under undersurface 68 from its trailingend 111 behind trailing extremity 65 of plate 60 to its leading end 112behind or otherwise inboard of edge 69A of downturned prominence 69.Base 110 is spaced apart from and under undersurface 68. Undersurface 68faces downwardly into space 108 toward upper surface 114 of base 110 andupper surface 114 of base 110 faces upwardly into space 108 towardundersurface 68, whereby undersurface 68 of plate 60 and upper surface114 of base 110 of seed boot 51 cooperate to enclose space 108 so as toform channel 125, which extends forwardly through seed boot 51 frominlet 107 of seed boot 51 proximate to trailing extremity 65 of opener53 to outlet 126 behind leading extremity 64 and cutting head 61 ofopener 53. Outlet 126 is defined at the forked end of seed boot 51 byand between edge 69A of downturned prominence 69 of plate 60, leadingend 112 of base 110 of seed boot 51, and the lower edge 104 of each saidside sheet 100 extending between edge 69A and leading end 112 of base110, and is pointed downwardly from seed boot 51 so as to be pointeddownwardly into a furrow cut by opener 53 in the use of implement 50 forsowing a crop.

And so implement 50 includes seed boot 51 connected directly to opener53 having a leading extremity, consisting of leading extremity 70 ofcutting head 61, and a trailing extremity, consisting of trailingextremity 65 of plate 60. Seed boot 51 and opener 53 form channel 125and outlet 126, and channel 125 extends forwardly from inlet 107 of seedboot 51 proximate to the trailing extremity of opener 53 defined astrailing extremity 65 of plate 60 to outlet 126 behind cutting head 61and, moreover, behind leading extremity of opener 53 defined as leadingextremity 70 of cutting head 61. In FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating implement50 assembled and suspended from shank 54, upper extremity 66 of opener53 is concurrently connected to shank 54 and deflectors 52. Opener 53and deflectors 52 concurrently depend downwardly from shank 54 to seedboot 51 located behind cutting head 61 of opener 53. In FIG. 9,deflectors 52 are positioned on either side of plate 60 of opener 53 andseed boot 51 and extend rearwardly from seed boot 51 and trailingextremity 65 of plate 60 of opener 53 and angularly outwardly fromeither side of trailing extremity 65 plate 60 of opener 53 betweendeflectors 52 and the trailing end of seed boot 51 between deflectors52.

In use, implement 50 is suspended from shank 54, and shank 54, in turn,is conventionally connected to a plow frame that is pulled by a tractorfor pulling opener 53 at a preselected depth through surface 130 of theground in a direction of arrowed line A in FIGS. 12 and 15 from leadingextremity 70 of cutting head 61 of opener 53 to the trailing extremityof opener 53 and the trailing end of seed boot 51 for cutting furrow 131in the ground beneath surface 130 ahead of seed boot 51 by leadingextremity 70 of cutting head 61 that, in turn, defines the leadingextremity of opener 53. Referencing FIG. 12, seeds are conventionallyconveyed by an air stream from a seed hopper to conduit 117 in thedirection of arrowed line B, which conveys such stream of air-drivenseeds into channel 125 through inlet 107. Channel 125 is for guiding thestream of air-driven seed forwardly through channel 125 in the directionof arrowed lines B in FIG. 12 from inlet 107 and into furrow 131 throughoutlet 126, which is directed downwardly in furrow 131. Channel 125 isdownturned proximate to outlet 126 by a downturned portion 68A ofundersurface 68 of plate 60 near and leading to outlet 126. Thisdescribed downturn of channel 125 near, proximate to, or otherwisetoward outlet 126 is for guiding the stream of air-driven seeddownwardly into furrow 131 through outlet 126 that points downwardlytoward the bottom of furrow 131.

In FIG. 12, seed boot 51 has a deflector 134. Deflector 134 is adeflecting surface of lower surface 115 of base 110 that is formed inleading end 112 behind outlet 126 and that is down-angled forwardlytoward the stream of air-driven seed exiting outlet 126 forconsolidating the stream of air-driven seed downwardly into furrow 131in a region 135 rearwardly of outlet 126 under deflector 134 asimplement 50 is drawn forwardly through the ground in the direction ofarrowed line A. As implement 50 is pulled through the ground, the seedis continually deposited into furrow 131 through outlet 126. Theconsolidation of the stream of air-driven seed into region 135 bydeflector 134 inhibits the seed from scattering to ensure deposition ofthe seed into furrow 131. Deflectors 52 keep furrow 131 open behindoutlet 126 to facilitate the application of a preselected fertilizerinto furrow 131 adjacent to the applied seeds. In this embodiment inFIGS. 2-9, an upright fertilizer tube 140 is connected to the back sidestanchions 140 of seed boot 51 with band coupling 141 in this example. Apreselected fertilizer material is continuously conveyed from afertilizer hopper to fertilizer tube 140, and fertilizer tube 140 is forconveying the fertilizer material therethrough in the direction ofarrowed lines D in FIG. 12 to outlet 140A of fertilizer tube 140 forapplication therethrough to furrow 131 adjacent to the deposited seeds.

Upper and lower elongate bolt holes 83 and 84 of deflectors 52 allowdeflectors 52 to be adjusted between raised and lowered positionsdepending on the needs of the farmer before tightening them down vianut-and-bolt assemblies 90. As a matter of example, FIG. 13 is a leftside elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the left sidedeflector thereof in a lowered position, in which the opposite rightside deflector 52 is also in the lowered position but is concealed bythe left side deflector 52. FIG. 14 is a left side elevation viewsimilar to that of FIG. 13 showing the left side deflector thereof in araised position, in which the opposite right side deflector 52 is alsoin the raised position but is concealed by the left side deflector 52.In the lowered position of deflectors 52, as in FIGS. 1, 2, and 13,deflectors 52 are lowered toward the bottom of the furrow formed byopener 53 for keeping the furrow open near to or otherwise close to theapplied seeds to allow the fertilizer to be applied close to the seedsfrom outlet 140A of fertilizer tube 140. In the raised position ofdeflectors 52 in FIGS. 14 and 15, deflectors 52 are raised away from thebottom of the furrow formed by opener 53 for keeping the furrow openabove the applied seeds to allow the furrow to close over the seedsapplied to the bottom of the formed furrow under seed boot 51 tofacilitate the application of fertilizer atop the soil that closes overthe seeds applied to the bottom of the furrow formed by opener 53. Inthe lowered position of deflectors 52, fertilizer banding is thuseffected from outlet 140A of fertilizer tube 140 close to the depositedseeds. In the raised position of deflectors 52, fertilizer banding isthus effected from outlet 140A of fertilizer tube 140 away from andabove the deposited seeds relative to the lowered positions ofdeflectors 52 onto the soil the closes over the deposited seeds.Depending on the needs of the farmer of how close fertilizer banding isdesired to be effected adjacent to the applied seeds, the farmer canadjust deflectors 52 to any position between the raised position of eachsaid deflector 52 and the lowered position of each said deflector so asto effect fertilizer banding from outlet 140A of fertilizer conduit 140to a preselected location adjacent to the applied seeds.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 50.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more suchconcurrently operating implements 50 to provide the concurrent seedingand fertilizing of numerous furrows.

II.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, in which there isseen another embodiment of an agricultural seeder implement 150constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of theinvention. Implement 150 includes seed boot 151 connected to opener 153,and is shown as it would appear assembled and suspended from a shank 154of a plow frame (not shown) in preparation for use of implement 150 forsowing a crop. Like opener 53 discussed above, opener 153 is a chisel,which is a form of a non-moving and non-rotating opener for being pulledby a tractor for cutting a furrow in the ground at a preselected depthfrom the surface of the ground, and seed boot 151 connected to opener153 is for receiving a stream of air-driven seed and depositing saidstream of air-driven seed into the furrow formed by opener 153.

Opener 153 is an assembly of blade or plate 160 and cutting head 161. InFIGS. 19 and 20, plate 160 is flat and straight in a vertical direction,and is stout, strong, robust, and of substantial construction beingformed of steel or other metal having inherently strong and resilientmaterial characteristics. Plate 160 includes leading extremity 164,trailing extremity 165, and upper extremity 166 and lower extremity 167that extend between leading extremity 164 and trailing extremity 165.Lower extremity 167 has undersurface 168 that extends from trailingextremity 165 toward leading extremity 164 to a U-shaped hairpinin-turned portion 168 that inturns rearwardly in a direction towardtrailing extremity 165 to edge 169A of a prominence 169 of lowerextremity 167. Prominence 169 is in-turned away from leading extremity164 and toward trailing extremity 165 terminating at rearward-facingsurface 169B that extends downwardly from edge 169A to lower extremity167, in-turned prominence 169, including edge 169A and surface 169Bthereof, being located between leading extremity 164 and trailingextremity 165.

Cutting head 161 is stout, strong, robust, and of substantialconstruction like that of plate 160, being formed of cast iron in thisexample or other selected metal material having inherently strong andresilient material characteristics, and is structured to be attached to,and carried by, leading extremity 164 of plate 160 shown in FIGS. 16,17, and 18. In FIGS. 19 and 20, cutting head 61 has leading extremity170, which is a wedge-like cutting edge to cut into the ground, andtrailing extremity 171 that is adapted to be connected to leadingextremity 164 of plate 160 of opener 153. Slot 172 in trailing extremity171 accepts leading extremity 164 of plate 160 so as to align holes 164formed in trailing extremity 171 of cutting head 161 on either side ofhole 175 formed in leading extremity 164 of plate 60. An upper portionof trailing extremity 171 of cutting head 161 is received in cutoutpocket 164A formed in the upper side of leading extremity 64, and thisserves to seat cutting head 161 in place on leading extremity 164 ofplate 160 in preparation for securing cutting head 161 to leadingextremity 165 with spring pin 77. FIGS. 16 and 17 show an upper portionof trailing extremity 171 of cutting head 161 received up against cutoutpocket 164A.

As in implement 50, spring pin 77, also called a tension pin or a rollpin, is a conventional mechanical fastener that secures the position ofcutting head 161 to leading extremity 164 of plate 160. Conventionally,spring pin 77 has a body diameter which is larger than the hole diameterof holes 174 formed in trailing extremity 171 of cutting head 161 andthe hole diameter of corresponding hole 175 formed in leading extremity164 of plate 160. Spring pin 77 has the customary chamfer on either oneor both ends to facilitate starting spring pin 77 into one of holes 174,and then spring pin 77 is forcibly driven, such as with a hammer or ram,into hole 175 of plate 160 and holes 174 of cutting head 161 on eitherside of hole 175, and the spring action of spring pin 77 allows it tocompress as it assumes the hole diameters of the respective holes 174and 175. The radial force exerted by spring pin 77 against the holewalls of the respective holes 174 and 175 concurrently retains it in theholes 174 and 175, whereby spring pin 77 acts as a self-retainingfastener releasably or otherwise removably connecting cutting head 161to leading extremity 64 of plate 160. FIGS. 16-18, 21, 22, and 26 showcutting head 161 connected to plate 160. The described connection ofcutting head 161 to plate 160 is a non-destructive releasable orremovable coupling/connection, which allows cutting head 161 to beremoved from leading extremity 164 of plate 160, such as for replacementor repair, simply by reversing the installation operation by forciblyremoving spring pin 77 from the respective holes 174 and 175, such aswith a hammer or ram, and separating cutting head 161 from leadingextremity 164 of plate 160, all without the need to destroy cutting head161 or plate 160 in the detaching process. The assembly of cutting head161 and plate 160 form opener 153. When so assembled, leading extremity170 of cutting head 161 defines the leading extremity of opener 153, andtrailing extremity 165 of plate 160 defines the trailing extremity ofopener 153.

In FIGS. 16-18, implement 150 includes a buckle assembly 180 that isused to connect implement 150 to shank 154 in FIGS. 16-18. Buckleassembly 180 connects upper extremity 166 of plate 160 of opener 153 toshank 154 so as to connect implement 150 to shank 154. In FIGS. 16-20,buckle assembly 180 includes arm 181, bracket 182, coupling 183, andfour nut-and-bolt assemblies 184 for fastening together shank 154,bracket 152 and coupling 153.

Arm 181 and bracket 182 are parts of plate 160, are fashioned of thesame material as plate 160, are extensions of upper extremity 166 ofplate 160, and extend upright from upper extremity 166. Bracket 182 isbetween arm 181 and trailing extremity 165, and has upper end 182A,lower end 182B, front face 182C, and rear face 182D. Arm 181 has a lowerend 181A that is integrally formed with upper extremity 167 of plate160. Arm 181 extends upwardly from lower end 181A at upper extremity 166of plate 160 and curves rearwardly to upper end 181B, which is rigidlyconnected via welding to front face 182C of bracket 182 proximate toupper end 182A. Bracket 182 depends downwardly from upper end 182A tolower end 182B rigidly connected via welding to upper extremity 166 ofplate 160 between lower end 181A of arm 181 and trailing extremity 165of plate 160. Arm 181 and bracket 182 encircle opening 186 that extendsfrom upper ends 181B and 182A and lower ends 181A and 182B. Opening 186facilitates the installation of nut-and-bolt assemblies 184A and 184B asdescribed below. The open structure formed by arm 181 and bracket 182imparts structural rigidity and strength to buckle assembly 180.

Referring in relevant part to FIGS. 19 and 20, bracket 182 has tabs 190Aand 190B that extend outwardly from either side of bracket 182 betweenupper end 181B of arm 181 connected to upper end 182A of bracket 182,and lower end 182B of bracket 182. A bolt hole 191 extends through eachone of tabs 190A and 190B from front face 182C of bracket 182 to rearface 182D of bracket 182. A pair of upper and lower elongate bolt holes193 and 194 extend through bracket 182 from front face 182C to rear face182D. Upper and lower elongate bolt holes 193 and 194 are formed inbracket 182 between upper end 181B of arm 181 connected to upper end182A of bracket 182, and lower end 182B of bracket 182. Bolt holes 191are horizontally aligned, upper elongate bolt hole 193 is locatedbetween bolt holes 191 and above lower elongate bolt hole 194, and upperand lower elongate bolt holes 193 and 194 are vertically aligned.

In FIGS. 19 and 20, each nut-and-bolt assembly 184 includes bolt 200,consisting of a shank 201 having an end formed with an enlarged bolthead 202 and an opposed externally threaded end 203, an internallythreaded nut 204 that threads onto and secures the externally threadedend 203, and washers 205 and 206. Shank 154 has front face 154A, rearface 154B, and a pair of upper and lower bolt holes 155 and 156 thatextend through shank 154 from front face 154A to rear face 154C.Coupling 183 has tabs 210A and 210B formed on either side of a middle211. A bolt hole 213 extends through each of tabs 210A and 210B, andelongate bolt hole 214 extends through middle 211. Elongate bolt hole214 extends in a vertical direction, and is located between bolt holes213, which are horizontally aligned.

To fasten implement 150 to shank 154 with buckle assembly 180, rear face182D of bracket 182 is positioned directly against front face 154A ofbracket 182 so as to axially align upper and lower elongate bolt holes193 and 194 of bracket 182 with the respective upper and lower boltholes 155 and 156 of shank 154. Coupling 183 is, in turn, positioneddirectly against rear face 154B of shank 154 so as to axially align boltholes 213 of tabs 210A and 210B that extend outwardly from either sideof shank 154 with corresponding bolt holes 191 of tabs 190A and 190B ofbracket 182 that extend outwardly from either side of shank 154, andfurther so as to axially align elongate bolt 214 in middle 211 ofcoupling 183 with upper elongate bolt hole 193 of bracket 182.Nut-and-bolt assemblies 184A-184B are then installed to fasten buckleassembly 180 to shank 154 for removably connecting implement 150 toshank 154. The installation of nut-and-bolt assemblies 184A-184B willnow be discussed.

Bolt 200 of nut-and-bolt assembly 184A is maneuvered into opening 186and externally threaded end 203 is inserted through upper elongate bolthole 193 of bracket 182, upper bolt hole 155 of shank 154, and thenthrough elongate bolt hole 214 formed in middle 211 of coupling 183, andinternally threaded nut 204 of nut-and-bolt assembly 184A is threadedonto externally threaded end 204 of bolt 200 on the outer side ofcoupling 183 and is tightened down via rotation against washer 206applied directly against the outer side of coupling 183 closing thedistance between internally threaded nut 204 and bolt head 202 therebyconcurrently tightening down bolt head 202 against washer 205 applieddirectly against front face 182C of bracket 182 and internally threadednut 204 against washer 206 applied directly against the outer side ofcoupling 183 thereby urging bracket 182 and coupling 183 togetherclamping shank 154 between rear face 182D of bracket 182 applied againstfront face 154A of shank 154 and coupling 183 applied directly againstrear face 154B of shank 154. In nut-and-bolt assembly 184A, washer 205encircles shank 201 under bolt head 202 and washer 206 encircles shank201 under internally threaded nut 204. Washers 205 and 206 spread theload when nut-and-bolt assembly 184A is tightened down clamping shank154 between bracket 182 applied directly against front face 154A ofshank 154 and coupling 183 applied directly against rear face 154B ofshank 154.

Bolt 200 of nut-and-bolt assembly 184B is maneuvered into opening 186and externally threaded end 203 is inserted through lower elongate bolthole 194 of bracket 182 and through lower bolt hole 156 of shank 154,and internally threaded nut 204 of nut-and-bolt assembly 184B isthreaded onto externally threaded end 204 of bolt 200 on the outer sideof rear face 154B of shank 154 and is tightened down via rotationagainst washer 206 applied directly against rear face 154B of shank 154closing the distance between internally threaded nut 204 and bolt head202 thereby concurrently tightening down bolt head 202 against washer205 applied directly against front face 182C of bracket 182 andinternally threaded nut 204 against washer 206 applied directly againstrear face 154 of shank 154 thereby urging shank 154 and bracket 182together securing front face 154A of shank directly against rear face182D of shank 154. In nut-and-bolt assembly 184B, washer 205 encirclesshank 201 under bolt head 202 and washer 206 encircles shank 201 underinternally threaded nut 204. Washers 205 and 206 spread the load whennut-and-bolt assembly 184B is tightened down clamping together shank 154and bracket 182. Upper and lower elongate bolt holes 193 and 193 ofbracket 182 and elongate bolt hole 214 of coupling 183 allow bracket 182and coupling 183 to be adjusted upwardly and downwardly depending on theneeds of the farmer before tightening them down to shank 154 vianut-and-bolt assemblies 184A and 184B. To complete the installation,tabs 190A and 210A extending outwardly from one side of shank 154 aresecured via nut-and-bolt assembly 184C, and tabs 190B and 210B extendingoutwardly from the opposite side of shank 154 are secured vianut-and-bolt assembly 184C.

The externally threaded end 203 of bolt 200 of nut-and-bolt assembly184C is inserted through bolt hole 191 of tab 190A of bracket 182 andpast the outer side of shank 154 from front face 154A of shank 154 torear face 154B of shank 154 and through bolt hole 213 of tab 210A ofcoupling 183, and internally threaded nut 204 of nut-and-bolt assembly184C is threaded onto externally threaded end 204 of bolt 200 on theouter side of tab 210A and is tightened down via rotation against washer206 applied directly against the outer side of tab 210A of coupling 183closing the distance between internally threaded nut 204 and bolt head202 thereby concurrently tightening down bolt head 202 against washer205 applied directly against front face 182C of tab 190A of bracket 182and internally threaded nut 204 against washer 206 applied directlyagainst the outer side of tab 210A of coupling 183 thereby urging tabs190A and 210A together further clamping shank 154 between rear face 182Dof bracket 182 applied against front face 154A of shank 154 and coupling183 applied directly against rear face 154B of shank 154. Innut-and-bolt assembly 184C, washer 205 encircles shank 201 under bolthead 202 and washer 206 encircles shank 201 under internally threadednut 204. Washers 205 and 206 spreads the load when nut-and-bolt assembly184C is tightened clamping shank 154 between bracket 182 applieddirectly against front face 154A of shank 154 and coupling 183 applieddirectly against rear face 154B of shank 154.

Finally, the externally threaded end 203 of bolt 200 of nut-and-boltassembly 184D is inserted through bolt hole 191 of tab 190B of bracket182 and past the opposed outer side of shank 154 from front face 154A ofshank 154 to rear face 154B of shank 154 and through bolt hole 213 oftab 210B of coupling 183, and internally threaded nut 204 ofnut-and-bolt assembly 184D is threaded onto externally threaded end 204of bolt 200 on the outer side of tab 210B and is tightened down viarotation against washer 206 applied directly against the outer side oftab 210B of coupling 183 closing the distance between internallythreaded nut 204 and bolt head 202 thereby concurrently tightening downbolt head 202 against washer 205 applied directly against front face182C of tab 190B of bracket 182 and internally threaded nut 204 againstwasher 206 applied directly against the outer side of tab 210B ofcoupling 183 thereby urging tabs 190B and 210B together still furtherclamping shank 154 between rear face 182D of bracket 182 applied againstfront face 154A of shank 154 and coupling 183 applied directly againstrear face 154B of shank 154. In nut-and-bolt assembly 184D, washer 205encircles shank 201 under bolt head 202 and washer 206 encircles shank201 under internally threaded nut 204. Washers 205 and 206 spreads theload when nut-and-bolt assembly 184D is tightened clamping shank 154between bracket 182 applied directly against front face 154A of shank154 and coupling 183 applied directly against rear face 154B of shank154.

The described fastening of buckle assembly 180 to shank 154 vianut-and-bolt assemblies 184A-184D firmly and removably/releasablyconnects implement 150 to shank 154 so as to suspend implement 150 fromshank 154 in FIGS. 16-18. To detach implement 150 from shank 150, suchas for repair, maintenance, or replacement, the described operation ofconnecting implement 150 to shank 154 need only be reversed.

In FIGS. 19, 20, 23, and 24, seed boot 151 is elongate and is stout,strong, robust, and of substantial construction being formed of steel orother metal having inherently strong and resilient materialcharacteristics. Seed boot 151 includes opposed, parallel and identicalside sheets 230 rigidly affixed to either side of base 240. Each sidesheet 230 has leading end 231, trailing end 232, upper and lower edges233 and 234 that extend from leading end 231 to trailing end 232, andcutout 235 in upper edge 233 proximate to trailing end 232. Arearwardly-pointing shoot 239 is rigidly affixed to each side sheet 230via welding near lower edge 244 between leading end 231 and trailing end232. Side sheets 230 are located on either side of base 240, and arerigidly affixed to base 240 via welding.

In FIG. 23, base 240 is flat and straight in a vertical direction andincludes trailing end 241, leading end 242 having forward-facing surface242A, upper end 243, and lower end 244. A notch 250 is formed in base240. Notch 250 is between upper end 243 and lower end 244, and extendspartially into base 240 rearwardly from leading end 241 in the directionof trailing end 241 from forward-facing surface 242 of leading end 242to outlet 250A at endwall 251. Upper end 243 is characterized in that ithas an upper surface 246 that extends initially downwardly in thedirection of lower end 244 near trailing end 241 and then curvesinwardly toward leading end 242 and then extends forwardly towardleading end 242 along substantially the entire length of base 240between trailing end 241 and leading end 242 to free end 247 ofextremity 248 of base 240 at the entrance to notch 250, which extendsinwardly into base 240 from free end 247 of extremity 248 in thedirection of trailing end 241 to endwall 251. Free end 247 of extremity248 terminates inboard of forward-facing surface 242A of leading end242.

Side sheets 230 are rigidly affixed to either side of base 240 viawelding near upper end 243. Side sheets 230 are spaced apart so as todefine space 238 therebetween in FIGS. 19 and 24, and are axiallyaligned, are parallel relative to each other, and extend upright fromeither side of base 240 from lower edges 234 and rearwardly pointingshoots 239, rigidly affixed to either side of base 240 near upper end243 via welding, to upper edges 233, and base 240 depends downwardlyfrom lower edges 234 and shoots 239 of side sheets 230 to lower end 244.Each shoot 239 depends downwardly from lower edge 244 of each said sidesheet 230 on either side of base 240 and notch 250, and each shoot 239is rigidly affixed to either side of base 240 via welding. Shoots 239 ofside sheets 230 are axially aligned on either side of notch 250 andoutlet 250A and are each open to notch 250 and outlet 250A. Trailing end241 of base 240 is axially aligned with trailing ends 232 of side sheets230, and extends forwardly toward leading ends 231 of side sheets 230 toleading end 242 that is short of, or otherwise inboard of, leading ends231 of side sheets 230, such that the leading ends 231 of side sheets230 form a forked end of seed boot 151. Cutouts 235 are axially alignedand cooperate to form an inlet of seed boot 151 proximate to trailingends 232 of side sheets 230 just inside of trailing end 241 of base 240,said inlet being denoted at 254 in FIG. 24. A vertical conduit 255 isrigidity affixed to cutouts 235 via welding, and is for guiding a streamof air-driven seed into seed boot 151 through inlet 244. For referencepurposes, leading ends 231 of side sheets 230 define the leading end ofseed boot 151, and trailing ends 232 of side sheets 230 and trailing end141 of base 240 define the trailing end of seed boot 151.

In implement 150, seed boot 151 is removably connected directly toopener 153 and, more particularly, directly to plate 160 of opener 153.Seed boot 51 is removably connected to plate 160 so as to be suspendedfrom plate 160. Seed boot 151 extends along lower extremity 167 of plate160 from leading ends 231 of side sheets 230 just behind cutting head161 connected to leading extremity 164 to trailing ends 232 of sidesheets 230 and trailing end 241 of base 240 behind trailing extremity165 of plate 160 of opener 153 in the assembly of implement 150.Specifically, seed boot 151 is aligned with lower extremity 167 of plate160 under and behind plate 160 so as to align a length of lowerextremity 167 of plate 160, from trailing extremity 165 to proximate toleading extremity 164 just behind cutting head 161, with space 238between side sheets 230 extending from conduit 255 applied to cutouts235 to leading ends 231 of side sheets 230. The described length ofplate 160 from trailing extremity 165 to proximate to leading extremity164 just behind cutting head 161 is inserted into space 238 of seed boot151 between upper edges 233 of side sheets 230 so as to locate adimension of side sheets 230 extending downwardly from upper edges 233of side sheets 230 on either side of plate 160, so as to bringforward-facing surface 242A of leading end 242 of base 240 into directcontact against rearward-facing surface 169B of prominence 169 and alignlower extremity 167 of plate 160 with lower end 244 of base 240 in acommon horizontal plane, and align each hole 260 of a row such holes 260formed in plate 160 with a corresponding pair of axially-aligned holes261 of a row of such axially-aligned pairs of holes 261 formed in sidesheets 230 near upper edges 233. The row of holes 260 in plate 160extend between trailing extremity 165 and past prominence 169 to justbehind cutting head 161 attached to leading extremity 164 of plate 160.The row of axially-aligned pairs of holes 261 in side sheets 230 nearupper edges 233 extend between cutouts 235 defining inlet 254 andleading ends 231 of side sheets 230.

Spring pins 77 are installed in each set of three aligned holes,including one hole 260 of plate 160 that is between and aligned with acorresponding pair of axially-aligned holes 261 of seed boot 151. Springpins 77 are forcibly driven in place into each said set of three alignedholes, such as with a hammer or ram, and the spring action of springpins 77 allows them to compress as it assumes the hole diameter of eachone of holes 260 and 261 hole of each said set of three aligned holes.The radial force exerted by spring pins 77 against the hole wall of eachone of said holes 260 and 261 of each said set of three aligned holesconcurrently retains it in the holes 260 and 261, whereby spring pins 77acts as a self-retaining fasteners releasably or otherwise removablyconnecting seed boot 151 to plate 160. FIGS. 16-18 and 26 show seed boot151 connected to plate 160. The described connection of seed boot 151 toplate 160 is a non-destructive releasable or removably coupling, whichallows seed boot 151 to be removed from plate 160 for replacement orrepair by reversing the installation operation, such as by forciblyremoving spring pins 77 from each said set of three aligned holes, suchas with a hammer or ram, and separating seed boot 151 from plate 160,without the need to destroy seed boot 151 or plate 160 in the detachingprocess.

With seed boot 151 so installed on plate 160 of opener 153, seed boot151 is suspended from plate 160 under undersurface 168 of plate 160 asshown in FIG. 25. In FIG. 25, seed boot 151 extends from inlet 254located at the trailing end of seed boot 151 behind trailing extremity165 of plate 160 to the leading end of seed boot 151 at leading ends 231of side sheets 230 extending forwardly of forward-facing surface 169B ofprominence 169 just behind cutting head 161 connected to leadingextremity 164 of plate 160. The forked end of seed boot 151 defined byside sheets 230 from forward-facing surface 242A to leading ends 231extends past in-turned portion 168A of undersurface 168 on either sideof plate 160. In FIG. 25, conduit 255 extends into inlet 254 and extendsupright therefrom between trailing extremity 165 of plate 160 of opener153 and trailing end 241 of base 240. Base 240, in turn, extendsforwardly under undersurface 168 of plate 160 from its trailing end 241behind trailing extremity 165 of plate 160 to its forward-facing surface242A of leading 242 in direct contact against rearward-facing surface169B of prominence 169. Undersurface 168 faces downwardly into space 238toward upper surface 246 of base 240 and upper surface 246 of base 240faces upwardly into space 238 toward undersurface 168, wherebyundersurface 168 of plate 160 and upper surface 246 of base 240 of seedboot 151 enclose space 238 so as to form channel 265, which extendsforwardly from inlet 254 of seed boot 151 proximate to trailingextremity 165 of opener 153 and along and past in-turned portion 168A ofundersurface 168 located forwardly of free end 247 of extremity 248 ofbase 240 to edge 169A of prominence 169 and to outlet 250A through notch250, which is enclosed in seed boot 151 and is pointed rearwardly towardendwall 251. Notch 250 and outlet 250A form parts of channel 265.Channel 265 is in-turned proximate to outlet 250A by in-turned portion168A of undersurface 168 located forwardly of free end 247 of extremity248 of base 240. Side sheets 230 on either side of plate 160 encloseeither side of channel 265 from inlet 254 to edge 169A, and shoots 239on either side of base 240 enclose notch 250 and outlet 250A on eitherside of channel 265. Shoots 239 on either side of implement 150 extendrearwardly toward trailing end 241 of base 240 of seed boot 151 andangularly outwardly from either side of seed boot 151 and plate 160 ofopener 153 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

And so implement 150 includes seed boot 151 connected directly to opener153 having a leading extremity, consisting of leading extremity 170 ofcutting head 161, and a trailing extremity, consisting of trailingextremity 165 of plate 160. Seed boot 151 defines inlet 254 and outlet250A to a shoot 239 on either side of seed boot 151. Seed boot 151 andopener 153 form channel 265, and channel 265 extends forwardly frominlet 254 of seed boot 51 proximate to the trailing extremity of opener153 defined as trailing extremity 165 of plate 160 and to and throughnotch 250 to outlet 250A behind cutting head 161 and, moreover, behindleading extremity of opener 153 defined as leading extremity 170 ofcutting head 61. In FIGS. 16-18 illustrating implement 150 assembled andsuspended from shank 154, upper extremity 166 of opener 153 is connectedto shank 154, and opener 153 depends downwardly from shank 154 to seedboot 151 located behind cutting head 161 of opener 153.

In use, implement 150 is suspended from shank 154, and shank 154, inturn, is conventionally connected to a plow frame that is pulled by atractor for pulling opener 153 at a preselected depth through surface270 of the ground in a direction of arrowed line E in FIG. 26 from theleading extremity of opener 153 to the trailing extremity of opener 153for cutting furrow 271 in the ground beneath surface 270 by leadingextremity 170 of cutting head 161 that, in turn, defines the leadingextremity of opener 153. Referencing FIG. 25, seeds are conventionallyconveyed by an air stream from a seed hopper to conduit 255 in thedirection of arrowed line F, which conveys such stream of air-drivenseeds into channel 265 through inlet 254. Channel 265 is for guiding thestream of air-driven seed forwardly through channel 265 from inlet 254to outlet 250A in the direction of arrowed lines F. Channel 265 isin-turned proximate to outlet 250A by in-turned portion 168A ofundersurface 168 located forwardly of free end 247 of extremity 248 ofbase 240 for re-directing the stream of air-driven seed rearwardlythrough notch 250 to endwall 251 and outlet 250A. The stream ofair-driven seed strikes endwall 251 so as to deflect and divide thestream of air-driven seed outwardly through either side of outlet 250Ato each said shoot 239 on either side of seed boot 151. Each said shoot239 on either side of notch 250 and outlet 250A is for receiving itspart of the air-driven stream of seed from outlet 250A and guiding saidpart of the stream of air-driven seed rearwardly and angularly outwardlytherethrough into either side of furrow 271 on either side of seed boot151 in the direction of arrowed lines G in FIGS. 21 and 22.

As implement 150 is pulled through the ground, the seed is continuallydeposited into either side of furrow 271 on either side of implementthrough shoots 239. In FIGS. 16-22, 25, and 26, a fertilizer tube 280 isconnected via welding to the back side of trailing end 241 of base 240of seed boot 151, and extends along the back side of trailing end 241 tolower end 244. Fertilizer tube 280 is contoured to the back side oftrailing end 241 of base 240 and extends forwardly along lower end 244to an outlet 281 through an outer end 282 of fertilizer tube 280 that issituated in rearward-facing notch 285 in lower end 244 of base 240 underand just rearwardly of shoots 239. Notch 285 protects outlet 281 fromthe ground passing underneath it to prevent outlet 281 from clogging andbecoming damaged. A preselected fertilizer material is continuouslyconveyed from a fertilizer hopper to fertilizer tube 280, and fertilizertube 280 is for conveying the fertilizer material therethrough in thedirection of arrowed lines H in FIG. 25 to outlet 281 of fertilizer tube280 for application downward therethrough into furrow 131 between theseeds applied to either side of the furrow and under the seedsrearwardly of outlet 250A and shoots 239.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 150.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or perhaps fifty ormore such concurrently operating implements 150 to provide theconcurrent seeding and fertilizing of numerous furrows.

III.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 27, in which there is seen yet anotherembodiment of an agricultural seeder implement 300 constructed andarranged in accordance with the principle of the invention. Implement300 includes seed boot 301 connected to opener 303, and is shown as itwould appear assembled and suspended from a shank 304 of a plow frame(not shown) in preparation for use of implement 300 for sowing a crop.Like openers 53 and opener 153, opener 303 is a chisel, which is a formof a non-moving and non-rotating opener for being pulled by a tractorfor cutting a furrow in the ground at a preselected depth from thesurface of the ground, and seed boot 301 connected to opener 303 is forreceiving a stream of air-driven seed and depositing said stream ofair-driven seed into the furrow formed by opener 303.

Opener 303 is an assembly of blade or plate 310 and cutting head 311. InFIG. 28, plate 310 is flat and straight in a vertical direction, and isstout, strong, robust, and of substantial construction being formed ofsteel or other metal having inherently strong and resilient materialcharacteristics. Plate 310 includes leading extremity 314, trailingextremity 315, and upper extremity 316 and lower extremity 317 thatextend between leading extremity 314 and trailing extremity 315. Lowerextremity 317 has undersurface 318 that extends from trailing extremity315 toward leading extremity 314 to drop-down 319 formed in lowerextremity 317 between leading extremity 314 and trailing extremity 315.

Cutting head 311 is stout, strong, robust, and of substantialconstruction like that of plate 310, being formed of cast iron in thisexample or other selected metal material having inherently strong andresilient material characteristics, and is structured to be attached to,and carried by, leading extremity 314 of plate 310 shown in FIGS. 27,29, and 31. In FIG. 28, cutting head 311 has leading extremity 320,which is a wedge-like cutting edge to cut into the ground, and trailingextremity 321 that is adapted to be connected to leading extremity 314of plate 310. Slot 322 in trailing extremity 321 accepts leadingextremity 314 of plate 310 so as to align holes 314 formed in trailingextremity 321 of cutting head 311 on either side of hole 325 formed inleading extremity 314 of plate 310. An upper portion of trailingextremity 321 of cutting head 311 is received in a cutout pocket 314Aformed in the upper sides of leading extremity 314, and this serves toseat cutting head 311 in place on leading extremity 314 of plate 310 inpreparation for securing cutting head 311 to leading extremity 314.FIGS. 28, 29, and 31 show an upper portion of trailing extremity 321 ofcutting head 311 received up against cutout pocket 314A.

Spring pin 77 secures the position of cutting head 311 to leadingextremity 314 of plate 310. Conventionally, spring pin 77 has a bodydiameter which is larger than the hole diameter of holes 324 formed intrailing extremity 321 of cutting head 311 and the hole diameter ofcorresponding hole 325 formed in leading extremity 314 of plate 310.Spring pin 77 has the customary chamfer on either one or both ends tofacilitate starting spring pin 77 into one of holes 324, and then springpin 77 is forcibly driven, such as with a hammer or ram, into hole 325of plate 310 and holes 324 of cutting head 311 on either side of hole325, and the spring action of spring pin 77 allows it to compress as itassumes the hole diameters of the respective holes 324 and 325. Theradial force exerted by spring pin 77 against the hole walls of therespective holes 324 and 325 concurrently retains it in the holes 324and 325, whereby spring pin 77 acts as a self-retaining fastenerreleasably or otherwise removably connecting cutting head 61 to leadingextremity 64 of plate 60. FIGS. 27, 29, and 31 show cutting head 311connected to plate 310. The described connection of cutting head 311 toplate 310 is a non-destructive releasable or removablecoupling/connection, which allows cutting head 311 to be removed fromleading extremity 314 of plate 310, such as for replacement or repair,simply by reversing the installation operation by forcibly removingspring pin 77 from the respective holes 324 and 325, such as with ahammer or ram, and separating cutting head 311 from leading extremity314 of plate 310, all without the need to destroy cutting head 311 orplate 310 in the detaching process. The assembly of cutting head 311 andplate 310 form opener 303. When so assembled, leading extremity 320 ofcutting head 311 defines the leading extremity of opener 303, andtrailing extremity 315 of plate 310 defines the trailing extremity ofopener 303.

Upper extremity 316 is structured to be connected to shank 304 withnut-and-bolt assemblies 90 as shown in FIG. 27. In common with opener50, upper extremity 316 shares bolt holes 80 and 81, and opener 303 isconnected to shank 304 with upper and lower nut-and-bolt assemblies 90Aand 90B. Plate 310 is positioned alongside an inner flattened side ofshank 304 so as to align an upper bolt hole of shank 304 with upper bolthole 80 of plate 310, and to align a lower bolt hole of shank 304 withlower bolt hole 81 of plate 310. The externally threaded end 94 of bolt91 of upper nut-and-bolt assembly 90A is concurrently inserted throughthe upper bolt hole of shank 304 and upper bolt hole 80 of plate 310.The internally threaded nut 95 of upper nut-and-bolt assembly 90A isthreaded onto externally threaded end 94 of bolt 91 of uppernut-and-bolt assembly 90A, and is tightened via rotation securing plate310 to shank 304 between bolt head 93 located on the outer side of shank54 and internally threaded nut 95 located on the outer side of upperextremity 316 of plate 310. Similarly, the externally threaded end 94 ofbolt 91 of lower nut-and-bolt assembly 90B is concurrently insertedthrough the lower bolt hole of shank 304 and lower bolt hole 81 of plate310. The internally threaded nut 95 of lower nut-and-bolt assembly 90Bis threaded onto externally threaded end 94 of bolt 91 of lowernut-and-bolt assembly 90B, and is tightened via rotation securing plate310 to shank 304 between bolt head 93 located on the outer side of shank54 and internally threaded nut 95 located on the outer side of upperextremity 316 of plate 310. This fastening together of upper extremity316 of plate 310 and shank 304 via nut-and-bolt assemblies 90 releasablyor otherwise removably secures implement 300 to shank 304, wherebyimplement 300 is suspended from shank 304 in FIGS. 27 and 29. To detachimplement 300 from shank 304, the described operation of connectingimplement 300 to shank 304 need only be reversed.

In FIGS. 28 and 30, seed boot 301 is elongate and is stout, strong,robust, and of substantial construction being formed of steel or othermetal having inherently strong and resilient material characteristics.Seed boot 301 includes opposed, parallel and identical side sheets 330rigidly affixed to either side of base 340. In FIG. 30, each side sheet330 has leading end 331, trailing end 332, upper and lower edges 333 and334 that extend from leading end 331 to trailing end 332, and cutout 335in upper edge 333 proximate to trailing end 332. A rearwardly pointingshoot 336 is rigidly affixed to each side sheet 330 via welding nearlower edge 334 between leading end 331 and trailing end 332.

In FIG. 30, base 340 is overall flat and straight in a verticaldirection and integrally formed and includes joined, opposed, upper andlower elongate members 341 and 342, and head 344. Upper member 341includes inner end 350, outer end 351, upper surface 352, and lowersurface 353. Lower member 341 includes inner end 360, outer end 361,upper surface 362, and lower surface 363. Inner ends 350 and 360 arejoined at head 344, and upper and lower elongate members 341 and 342extend outwardly from head 34 in a spaced-apart relation along a commonvertical plane to outer ends 351 and 361. Lower surface 353 of upperelongate member 341 faces upper surface 362 of lower elongate member 242so as to form a space or gap 365 therebetween that extends forwardlyfrom inlet 366 defined by and between outer ends 351 and 361 to a closedend 367 at head 344 where lower surface 353 and upper surface 352intersect. Head 344 extends forwardly of inner ends 350 and 360 to outerend 344A.

Side sheets 330 are rigidly affixed to either side of upper and lowerelongate members 341 and 342 and head 244 of base 340 via welding. Sidesheets 320 are axially aligned, are parallel relative to each other, andextend upright from either side of base 340 from lower edges 234, thatextend along either side of head 344 and lower elongate member 342 fromouter end 361 to inner end 360, and across gap 365 and across upperelongate member 341 to upper edges 333 that extend upwardly from uppersurface 352 and along upper elongate member 341 from outer end 351 toinner end 350 and along head 344 from inner end 350 to outer end 344A ofhead 344, which encloses gap 365 from inlet 366 to closed end 367 so asto form channel 368 of seed boot 301 that extends forwardly through seedboot 301 from inlet 366, defined by and between outer ends 351 and 361of upper and lower elongate members 341 and 342 and side sheets 330extending thereacross, to closed end 367, which defines outlet 367A ofchannel 368 of seed boot 301 that is open to shoots 336. Shoots 336 arerigidly affixed via welding to either side of side sheets 330 and head344 from outer end 344A to and just rearwardly of inner end 360 of lowerelongate member 342. Shoots 336 extend across either side of the outlet367A of channel 368 defined at closed end 367 of space 365 and are opento the outlet 367A of the defined channel 368 at closed end 367, arediametrically opposed on either side of channel 368 at closed end 367,and extend angularly outwardly from either side of seed boot 301 andrearwardly in a direction toward outer end 361 of lower elongate member242 and trailing ends 332 of side sheets 330 to deflectors 336A formedin open rear ends 337 of shoots 336. Deflectors 336A partially occludethe respective open rear ends 337 of shoots 336. In FIGS. 32 and 33,deflectors 336 are connected via welding to the respective side sheets330 near lower edges 334 and rear ends 337 of the respective shoots 336.Deflectors 336A extend downwardly from side sheets 330 near lower edges334, and extend downwardly and angularly outward from either side ofseed boot 301 along rear ends 337 of each respective shoot 336, and areangled rearwardly away from the respective leading ends 331 of sidesheets 330. Outer end 361 of lower elongate member 242 of base 340 isaxially aligned with trailing ends 332 of side sheets 330, and base 340extends forwardly toward leading ends 331 of side sheets 330 to outerend 344A of head 344 that is short of, or otherwise inboard of, leadingends 331 of side sheets 330, such that the leading ends 331 of sidesheets 330 form a forked end of seed boot 301. Cutouts 335 are axiallyaligned and cooperate with outer ends 351 and 361 of upper and lowerelongate members 341 and 342 to from inlet 366 of seed boot 301proximate to trailing ends 332 of side sheets 330 just inside of outerend 361 of base 340. An upright conduit 372 is rigidity affixed tocutouts 335 via welding, and is for guiding a stream of air-driven seedinto channel 368 of seed boot from inlet 366. For reference purposes,leading ends 331 of side sheets 330 define the leading end of seed boot301, and trailing ends 332 of side sheets 330 and outer ends 351 and 361of upper and lower elongate members 341 and 342 of base 340 define thetrailing end of seed boot 301.

Again, side sheets 330 extend upright from either side of base 340 fromlower edges 334, that extend along either side of head 344 and lowerelongate member 342 from outer end 361 to inner end 360, and acrossupper elongate member 341 to upper edges 333 extending upwardly fromupper surface 352 so as to form a gap or space 375 between side sheets330 from upper surface 352 of upper elongate member 341 to upper edges333, and this gap 375 extends from cutouts 335 to the leading end ofeach said side sheets 330.

In implement 300, seed boot 301 is removably connected directly toopener 303 and, more particularly, directly to plate 310 of opener 303.Seed boot 301 is removably connected to plate 310 so as to be suspendedfrom plate 310. Seed boot 301 extends along lower extremity 317 of plate310 from leading ends 331 of side sheets 330 just behind cutting head301 connected to leading extremity 314 to trailing ends 332 of sidesheets 330 and outer ends 351 and 361 of upper and lower elongatemembers 341 and 342 of base 340 behind trailing extremity 315 of plate310 of opener 303 in the assembly of implement 300. Specifically, seedboot 301 is aligned under and behind plate 310 so as to align a lengthof lower extremity 317 of plate 310, from trailing extremity 315 toproximate to leading extremity 314 just behind cutting head 311, withgap 375 between side sheets 330 extending from conduit 372 applied tocutouts 335 to leading ends 331 of side sheets 330. The described lengthof plate 310 from trailing extremity 315 to proximate to leadingextremity 314 just behind cutting head 311 is inserted into gap 375 ofseed boot 301 between upper edges 333 of side sheets 330 so as to locatea dimension of side sheets 330 extending downwardly from upper edges 233of side sheets 330 on either side of plate 310, so as to bring uppersurface 352 of base 340 extending from outer end 361 of upper elongatemember 341 to outer end 344A of head 344 into direct contact againstundersurface 318 of plate 310 from trailing extremity 315 to drop down319, and so as to bring outer end 344A of head 344 into direct contactagainst the portion of undersurface 318 that extends downwardlypartially along drop down 319, which aligns lower extremity 317 of plate310 from leading extremity 314 to drop down 319 with the lower side ofbase 340 that extends rearwardly from drop down 319, and which alignseach hole 380 of a row such holes 380 formed in plate 310 with acorresponding pair of axially-aligned holes 381 of a row of suchaxially-aligned pairs of holes 381 formed in side sheets 330 near upperedges 333. The row of holes 380 in plate 310 extend between trailingextremity 315 and over drop down 319 just behind cutting head 311attached to leading extremity 314 of plate 310. The row ofaxially-aligned pairs of holes 381 in side sheets 330 near upper edges333 extend between cutouts 235 at inlet 366 and leading ends 331 of sidesheets 330.

Spring pins 77 are installed in each set of three aligned holes,including one hole 380 of plate 310 that is between and aligned with acorresponding pair of axially-aligned holes 381 of seed boot 301. Springpins 77 are forcibly driven in place into each said set of three alignedholes, such as with a hammer or ram, and the spring action of springpins 77 allows them to compress as it assumes the hole diameter of eachone of holes 380 and 381 of each said set of three aligned holes. Theradial force exerted by spring pins 77 against the hole wall of each oneof said holes 380 and 381 of each said set of three aligned holesconcurrently retains it in the holes 380 and 381, whereby spring pins 77acts as a self-retaining fasteners releasably or otherwise removablyconnecting seed boot 301 to plate 310. The described connection of seedboot 301 to plate 310 is a non-destructive releasable or removablycoupling, which allows seed boot 301 to be removed from plate 310 forreplacement or repair by reversing the installation operation, such asby forcibly removing spring pins 77 from each said set of three alignedholes, such as with a hammer or ram, and separating seed boot 301 fromplate 310, without the need to destroy seed boot 301 or plate 310 in thedetaching process.

With seed boot 301 so installed on plate 310 of opener 303, seed boot301 is suspended from plate 310 under undersurface 318 of plate 310 asshown in FIG. 31. Seed boot 301 extends from inlet 366 located at thetrailing end of seed boot 301 behind trailing extremity 315 of plate 310to the leading end of seed boot 301 at leading ends 331 of side sheets330 extending over drop down 319 just behind cutting head 311 connectedto leading extremity 314 of plate 310. In FIG. 25, conduit 372 extendsinto inlet 366 and extends upright therefrom between trailing extremity315 of plate 310 of opener 153 and outer end 361 of lower elongatemember 242 of base 340. Base 340, in turn, extends forwardly underundersurface 318 of plate 310 from outer end 361 behind trailingextremity 315 of plate 310 to outer end 344A of head 344 in directcontact against the portion of undersurface 318 that extends partiallydownwardly along drop down 319. Channel 368 extends forwardly throughseed boot 301 from inlet 366 to the outlet 367A defined at closed end367 that leads to shoots 336 on either side of seed boot 301.

And so implement 300 includes seed boot 301 connected directly to opener303 having a leading extremity, consisting of leading extremity 320 ofcutting head 311, and a trailing extremity, consisting of trailingextremity 315 of plate 310. Seed boot 301 has inlet 366, and outlet 367Aat closed end 367. Outlet 367A is open to each said shoot 336 on eitherside of seed boot 301, and channel 368 extends forwardly through seedboot 301 from inlet 366 of seed boot 301 proximate to the trailingextremity of opener 303 defined as trailing extremity 315 of plate 310to outlet 367A open to shoots 336 behind cutting head 311 and, moreover,behind leading extremity of opener 303 defined as leading extremity 320of cutting head 311. In FIG. 27 illustrating implement 300 assembled andsuspended from shank 304, upper extremity 316 of opener 303 is connectedto shank 304, and opener 303 depends downwardly from shank 304 to seedboot 301 located behind cutting head 311 of opener 303.

In use, implement 300 is suspended from shank 304, and shank 304, inturn, is conventionally connected to a plow frame that is pulled by atractor for pulling opener 303 at a preselected depth through surface385 of the ground in a direction of arrowed line I in FIG. 31 from theleading extremity of opener 303 to the trailing extremity of opener 303for cutting furrow 386 in the ground beneath surface 385 by leadingextremity 320 of cutting head 311 that, in turn, defines the leadingextremity of opener 303. Seeds are conventionally conveyed by an airstream from a seed hopper to conduit 372 in the direction of arrowedline J, which conveys such stream of air-driven seeds into channel 368through inlet 366. Channel 368 is for guiding the stream of air-drivenseed forwardly through channel 368 from inlet 366 to outlet 367A atclosed end 367 in the direction of arrowed lines K to outlet 267A. Thestream of air-driven seed strikes closed end 367, which deflects anddivides the stream of air-driven seed outwardly through either side ofoutlet 367A to each said shoot 336 on either side of seed boot 301. Eachsaid shoot 336 on either side of outlet 367A is for receiving its partof the air-driven stream of seed from outlet 267A at either side of seedboot 301 and guiding its said part of the stream of air-driven seedrearwardly and angularly outwardly therethrough to into either side offurrow 386 on either side of seed boot 301 through open rear end 337 asin implement 150, and also for guiding some of its said part of thestream of air-driven seed rearwardly and angularly outwardly todeflector 336A partially occluding open rear end 337, which deflectssaid some of its said part of the stream of air-driven seed downwardlyinto either side of furrow 386 on either side of seed boot 301 in thedirection of arrowed line M in FIG. 31. The deflection of part of thestream of air-driven seed downwardly into either side of furrow 381 bydeflector 336A beneficially consolidates part of the stream ofair-driven seed downwardly into furrow and inhibits the deflected seedfrom scattering to inhibit seed loss and to provide a controlleddeposition of the deflected seed downwardly into furrow 381.

As implement 300 is pulled through the ground, the seed is continuallydeposited angularly outwardly into either side of furrow 386 on eitherside of implement 300 through shoots 336 and downwardly into either sideof the furrow from deflectors 336A of shoots 336. In FIGS. 27, 28, and31, a fertilizer tube 390 is connected via welding to lower surface 363along the back side of outer end 361 of base 340 of seed boot 301, andextends along lower surface 363 along the underside of head 344 andthrough drop down 319. Fertilizer tube 390 is contoured to lower surface363 and the underside of head 344, and extends forwardly through dropdown 319 to an outlet 391 through an outer end 392 of fertilizer tube390 that is situated against trailing extremity 321 of cutting head 311that extends downward from leading extremity 314 of plate 310 thatprotects outlet 391 from the ground passing underneath it to preventoutlet 391 from clogging and becoming damaged. Outlet 391 and outer end392 of fertilizer tube 390 are located ahead of outlet 367A and shoots336. A preselected fertilizer material is continuously conveyed from afertilizer hopper to fertilizer tube 390, and fertilizer tube 290 is forconveying the fertilizer material therethrough in the direction ofarrowed lines N in FIG. 31 to outlet 391 of fertilizer tube 390 forapplication therethrough into furrow 386 ahead of the applied seeds.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 300.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or perhaps fifty ormore such concurrently operating implements 300 to provide theconcurrent seeding and fertilizing of numerous furrows.

IV.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 34, in which there is seen yet anotherembodiment of an agricultural seeder implement 400 constructed andarranged in accordance with the principle of the invention. Implement400 includes seed boot 401 connected to opener 403, and is shown as itwould appear assembled and suspended from shank 154 discussed inconnection with implement 150 in preparation for use of implement 400for sowing a crop. Like the previously-described openers, opener 403 isa chisel, which is a form of a non-moving and non-rotating opener forbeing pulled by a tractor for cutting a furrow in the ground at apreselected depth from the surface of the ground, and seed boot 401connected to opener 403 is for receiving a stream of air-driven seed anddepositing said stream of air-driven seed into the furrow formed byopener 403.

In common with implement 150, opener 402 shares blade or plate 160 andcutting head 161 having leading extremity 170 and trailing extremity 171and buckle assembly 180 that connect implement 400 to shank 154 and, asreferenced in FIG. 35, trailing extremity 165 and undersurface 168including in-turned portion 168 that inturns rearwardly in a directiontoward trailing extremity 165 to edge 169A of prominence 169. In commonwith implement 300, opener 403 shares drop down 319 that dependsdownwardly in this embodiment from prominence 169.

Seed boot 401 includes side sheets 330 of seed boot 301 connected toeither side of a base 410 as discussed above and that in common withbase 240 of seed boot 151 of implement 150 shares upper surface 246,extremity 248, free end 247 of extremity 248, notch 250, outlet 250A atendwall 251, inlet 254, including conduit 255 to inlet 254. In commonwith seed boot 151, seed boot 401 also shares channel 265 that extendsforwardly from inlet 254 of seed boot 401 proximate to trailingextremity 165 of opener 403 past in-turned portion 168A of undersurface168 located forwardly of free end 247 of extremity 248 of base 240 toedge 169A of prominence 169 and to outlet 250A through notch 250, whichis enclosed in seed boot 151 and is pointed rearwardly toward endwall251. As in implement 150, shoots 336 are each open to notch 250 andoutlet 250A.

In use, implement 400 is suspended from shank 154, and shank 154, inturn, is conventionally connected to a plow frame that is pulled by atractor for pulling opener 403 at a preselected depth through thesurface of the ground in a direction from the leading extremity ofopener 403, which is defined by leading extremity 170 of cutting head161, to the trailing extremity 165 of opener 403 for cutting a furrow inthe ground by leading extremity 170 of cutting head 311. A stream ofair-driven seed is applied to channel 265 through inlet 254 from conduit255, which guides the stream of air-driven seed to outlet 250A. Thestream of air-driven seed is applied to each said shoot 336 from outlet250A, and each said shoot 336 functions to apply the stream of air-driveseed into either side of a furrow in the use of implement 400 asdescribed in implement 300. Implement 400 demonstrates the use of shoots336 of implement 300 used in connection with channel 265 of implement150, in which channel 265 and inlet 254 are defined by and between plate160 of opener 403 and seed boot 401 and outlet 250A is defined by andenclosed in seed boot 401.

In common with implement 300, implement 400 also shares fertilizer tube390 that is connected along the back side of base 410 through drop down319. As in implement 300, during the use of implement 400 during sowinga preselected fertilizer material is continuously conveyed from afertilizer hopper to fertilizer tube 390, which applies the fertilizerinto furrow ahead outlet 250A and shoots 336 and thus ahead of theapplied seeds.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 400.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more suchconcurrently operating implements 400 to provide the concurrent seedingand fertilizing of numerous furrows.

V.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 36, in which there is seen yet afurther embodiment of an agricultural seeder implement 440 constructedand arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention.Implement 440 includes seed boot 441 connected to opener 443, and isshown as it would appear assembled and suspended from shank 154discussed in connection with implement 150 in preparation for use ofimplement 440 for sowing a crop. Like the previously-described openers,opener 443 is a chisel, which is a form of a non-moving and non-rotatingopener for being pulled by a tractor for cutting a furrow in the groundat a preselected depth from the surface of the ground, and seed boot 441connected to opener 443 is for receiving a stream of air-driven seed anddepositing said stream of air-driven seed into the furrow formed byopener 443.

In common with implements 50 and 150, opener 443 shares blade or plate60 and cutting head 61 of implement 50 and buckle assembly 180 ofimplement 150 that connects implement 440 to shank 154. Further incommon with implement 50, in FIG. 37 plate 60 of opener 443 furthershares trailing extremity 65, undersurface 68 that extends forwardlyfrom trailing extremity 65 toward cutting head 61 and along downturnedportion 68A of undersurface 68 to edge 69A of downturned prominence 69of lower extremity 67.

Seed boot 441 includes side sheets 330 of seed boot 301 connected toeither side of a base 450 as discussed above in implement 300. In commonwith base 340 of seed boot 301 of implement 300, base 450 sharesopposed, upper and lower elongate members 341 and 342 joined at head 344and channel 368 that extends forwardly through seed boot 401 from inlet366 to closed end 367, which defines outlet 367A of channel 368 toshoots 336. Inlet 366 is defined between outer ends 351 and 361 of upperand lower elongate members 341 and 342, and is connected to conduit 372.

In common with seed boot 51 of implement 50, seed boot 441 shareschannel 125, which extends forwardly from inlet 107 of seed boot 401defined between outer end 351 of upper elongate member 341 of seed boot401 and trailing extremity 65 of plate 60 of opener 403 to outlet 126behind cutting head 61. Inlet 107 is connected to conduit 117. Outlet126 is defined by and between edge 69A of downturned prominence 69 ofplate 60 and outer end 344A of head 344 of base 110 of seed boot 51, andis pointed downwardly from seed boot 51. Like seed boot 51, seed boot401 has deflector 134. Deflector 134 is a deflecting surface of base 450that is formed in outer end 344A of head 344 behind outlet 126.

In use in one embodiment, implement 440 is suspended from shank 154, andshank 154, in turn, is conventionally connected to a plow frame that ispulled by a tractor for pulling opener 443 at a preselected depththrough the surface of the ground in a direction from the leadingextremity of opener 443, which is leading extremity 70 of cutting head61, to the trailing extremity 65 of opener 443 for cutting a furrow inthe ground by leading extremity 70 of cutting head 61. A stream ofair-driven seed is applied to channel 368 through inlet 366 from conduit372, which guides the stream of air-driven seed to outlet 367A. Thestream of air-driven seed is applied to each said shoot 336 from outlet367A, and each said shoot 336 functions to apply the stream of air-driveseed into either side of a furrow in the use of implement 440 asdescribed in implement 300. A fertilizer material is applied to channel125 through inlet 107 from conduit 117 according to the description ofchannel 125 in connection with implement 50, in which channel 125 guidesthe fertilizer material to outlet 126 for application of the fertilizermaterial downwardly into the furrow ahead of outlet 367A and shoots 336for applying the fertilizer material into furrow ahead of the appliedseeds. If desired, fertilizer material can be applied to channel 368,and a stream of air-driven seeds can be applied to channel 125.

Implement 440 demonstrates the use of shoots 336 of implement 300 usedin connection with channel 265 of implement 150, in which channel 265and inlet 254 are defined by and between plate 160 of opener 403 andseed boot 401 and outlet 250A is defined by and enclosed in seed boot401.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 440.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more suchconcurrently operating implements 440 to provide the concurrent seedingand fertilizing of numerous furrows.

VI.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 38 and 39, in which there is seenstill another embodiment of an agricultural seeder implement 480constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of theinvention. Implement 480 includes seed boot 481 connected to opener 483,and is shown as it would appear assembled and suspended from shank 154discussed in connection with implement 150 in preparation for use ofimplement 480 for sowing a crop. Like the previously-described openers,opener 483 is a chisel, which is a form of a non-moving and non-rotatingopener for being pulled by a tractor for cutting a furrow in the groundat a preselected depth from the surface of the ground, and seed boot 481connected to opener 483 is for receiving a stream of air-driven seed anddepositing said stream of air-driven seed into the furrow formed byopener 483.

In common with implement 300, in FIGS. 39, 39, and 42 opener 483 sharesblade or plate 310, and cutting head 311. Please 310 includes leadingextremity 314, trailing extremity 315 (FIG. 42), upper extremity 316,lower extremity 317, undersurface 318 in FIG. 42, and drop-down 319.Cutting head 311 is attached to, and is carried by, leading extremity314 of plate 310. The assembly of cutting head 311 and plate 310 formopener 483. When so assembled, leading extremity 320 of cutting head 311defines the leading extremity of opener 483, and trailing extremity 315of plate 310 defines the trailing extremity of opener 483.

In common with seed boot 481 of implement 300, in reference in relevantpart to FIGS. 38-42 seed boot 481 shares side sheets 330 rigidly affixedto either side of base 340, each side sheet 330 has leading end 331,trailing end 332, upper and lower edges 333 and 334 that extend fromleading end 331 to trailing end 332, cutout 335, and shoots 336, eachincluding deflector 336A, rigidly affixed to each side sheet 330 nearlower edge 334 between leading end 331 and trailing end 332. In FIG. 41,base 340 includes upper and lower elongate members 341 and 342, head344, inner end 350, outer end 351, upper surface 352, lower surface 353,inner end 360, outer end 361, upper surface 362, lower surface 363,space or gap 365 that extends forwardly from inlet 366 defined by andbetween outer ends 351 and 361 to closed end 367 at head 344 where lowersurface 353 and upper surface 352 intersect.

Side sheets 330 are rigidly affixed to either side of upper and lowerelongate members 341 and 342 and head 244 of base 340 via welding. Sidesheets 320 are axially aligned, are parallel relative to each other, andextend upright from either side of base 340 from lower edges 234, thatextend along either side of head 344 and lower elongate member 342 fromouter end 361 to inner end 360, and across gap 365 and across upperelongate member 341 to upper edges 333 that extend upwardly from uppersurface 352 and along upper elongate member 341 from outer end 351 toinner end 350 and along head 344 from inner end 350 to outer end 344A ofhead 344, which encloses gap 365 from inlet 366 to closed end 367 so asto form channel 368 (FIG. 42) of seed boot 481 that extends forwardlythrough seed boot 481 from inlet 366, defined by and between outer ends351 and 361 of upper and lower elongate members 341 and 342 and sidesheets 330 extending thereacross, to closed end 367, which definesoutlet 367A of channel 368 of seed boot 481 that is open windows 490(FIG. 41) formed in the respective side sheets 330 that, in turn, areopen to the respective shoots 336.

Shoots 336 are rigidly affixed via welding to either side of side sheets330 in this embodiment. Side sheets 330 extend downwardly from shoots336 and base 340 and rearwardly from base 340 to lower edges 334 thatdefine a channel 491 through which fertilizer tube 390 extends. Shoots336 extend across either side of the outlet 367A of channel 368 definedat closed end 367 of space 365 and are open to the outlet 367A of thedefined channel 368 at closed end 367, are diametrically opposed oneither side of channel 368 at closed end 367, and extend angularlyoutwardly from either side of seed boot 481 and rearwardly in adirection toward outer end 361 of lower elongate member 242 and trailingends 332 of side sheets 330 to deflectors 336A formed in the open rearends 337 of shoots 336. Deflectors 336A partially occlude the respectiveopen rear ends 337 of shoots 336. In this embodiment, deflectors 336Aextend downwardly from side sheets 330 in the direction of lower edges334, and extend downwardly and angularly outward from either side ofseed boot 481 along rear ends 337 of each respective shoot 336, and areangled forwardly toward the respective leading ends 331 of side sheets330. Outer end 361 of lower elongate member 242 of base 340 is axiallyaligned with trailing ends 332 of side sheets 330, and base 340 extendsforwardly toward leading ends 331 of side sheets 330 to outer end 344Aof head 344 that is short of, or otherwise inboard of, leading ends 331of side sheets 330, such that the leading ends 331 of side sheets 330form a forked end of seed boot 481. Cutouts 335 are axially aligned andcooperate with outer ends 351 and 361 of upper and lower elongatemembers 341 and 342 to from inlet 366 of seed boot 481 proximate totrailing ends 332 of side sheets 330 just inside of outer end 361 ofbase 340. Upright conduit 372 is rigidity affixed to cutouts 335 viawelding, and is for guiding a stream of air-driven seed into channel 368of seed boot from inlet 366. For reference purposes, leading ends 331 ofside sheets 330 define the leading end of seed boot 481, and trailingends 332 of side sheets 330 and outer ends 351 and 361 of upper andlower elongate members 341 and 342 of base 340 define the trailing endof seed boot 481.

Again, side sheets 330 extend upright from either side of base 340 fromlower edges 234, that extend along either side of head 344 and lowerelongate member 342 from outer end 361 to inner end 360, and acrossupper elongate member 341 to upper edges 333 extending upwardly fromupper surface 352 so as to form a gap or space 375 between side sheets330 from upper surface 352 of upper elongate member 341 to upper edges333, and this gap 375 extends from cutouts 335 to the leading end ofeach said side sheets 330.

In implement 480, seed boot 481 is removably connected directly toopener 483 and, more particularly, directly to plate 310 of opener 483.Seed boot 481 is removably connected to plate 310 so as to be suspendedfrom plate 310. Seed boot 481 extends along lower extremity 317 of plate310 from leading ends 331 of side sheets 330 just behind cutting head481 connected to leading extremity 314 to trailing ends 332 of sidesheets 330 and outer ends 351 and 361 of upper and lower elongatemembers 341 and 342 of base 340 behind trailing extremity 315 of plate310 of opener 483 in the assembly of implement 480. Specifically, seedboot 481 is aligned under and behind plate 310 so as to align a lengthof lower extremity 317 of plate 310, from trailing extremity 315 toproximate to leading extremity 314 just behind cutting head 311, withgap 375 between side sheets 330 extending from conduit 372 applied tocutouts 335 to leading ends 331 of side sheets 330. The described lengthof plate 310 from trailing extremity 315 to proximate to leadingextremity 314 just behind cutting head 311 is inserted into gap 375 ofseed boot 481 between upper edges 333 of side sheets 330 so as to locatea dimension of side sheets 330 extending downwardly from upper edges 233of side sheets 330 on either side of plate 310, so as to bring uppersurface 352 of base 340 extending from outer end 361 of upper elongatemember 341 to outer end 344A of head 344 into direct contact againstundersurface 318 of plate 310 from trailing extremity 315 to drop down319, and so as to bring outer end 344A of head 344 into direct contactagainst the portion of undersurface 318 that extends downwardlypartially along drop down 319, which aligns lower extremity 317 of plate310 from leading extremity 314 to drop down 319 with the lower side ofbase 340 that extends rearwardly from drop down 319, and which alignseach hole 380 of a row such holes 380 formed in plate 310 with acorresponding pair of axially-aligned holes 381 of a row of suchaxially-aligned pairs of holes 381 formed in side sheets 330 near upperedges 333. The row of holes 380 in plate 310 extend between trailingextremity 315 and over drop down 319 just behind cutting head 311attached to leading extremity 314 of plate 310. The row ofaxially-aligned pairs of holes 381 in side sheets 330 near upper edges333 extend between cutouts 235 at inlet 366 and leading ends 331 of sidesheets 330. Like implement 300, in implement 480 spring pins 77 areinstalled in each set of three aligned holes, including one hole 380 ofplate 310 that is between and aligned with a corresponding pair ofaxially-aligned holes 381 of seed boot 481. As in implement 300, inimplement 480 the described connection of seed boot 481 to plate 310 isa non-destructive releasable or removably coupling, which allows seedboot 481 to be removed from plate 310 for replacement or repair byreversing the installation operation, such as by forcibly removingspring pins 77 from each said set of three aligned holes, such as with ahammer or ram, and separating seed boot 481 from plate 310, without theneed to destroy seed boot 481 or plate 310 in the detaching process.

With seed boot 481 so installed on plate 310 of opener 483, seed boot481 is suspended from plate 310 under undersurface 318 of plate 310 asshown in FIG. 42. Seed boot 151 extends from inlet 366 located at thetrailing end of seed boot 481 behind trailing extremity 315 of plate 310to the leading end of seed boot 481 at leading ends 331 of side sheets330 positioned above drop down 319 just behind cutting head 311connected to leading extremity 314 of plate 310. In FIG. 42, conduit 372extends into inlet 366 and extends upright therefrom between trailingextremity 315 of plate 310 of opener 153 and outer end 361 of lowerelongate member 242 of base 340. Base 340, in turn, extends forwardlyunder undersurface 318 of plate 310 from outer end 361 behind trailingextremity 315 of plate 310 to outer end 344A of head 344 in directcontact against the portion of undersurface 318 that extends partiallydownwardly along drop down 319. Channel 368 extends forwardly throughseed boot 481 from inlet 366 to the outlet 367A defined at closed end367 that leads to shoots 336 on either side of seed boot 481.

And so implement 300 includes seed boot 481 connected directly to opener483 having a leading extremity, consisting of leading extremity 320 ofcutting head 311, and a trailing extremity, consisting of trailingextremity 315 of plate 310. Seed boot 481 has inlet 366, and outlet 367Aat closed end 367. Outlet 367A is open to each said shoot 336, via therespective windows 491 (FIG. 41), on either side of seed boot 481, andchannel 368 extends forwardly through seed boot 481 from inlet 366 ofseed boot 481 proximate to the trailing extremity of opener 483 definedas trailing extremity 315 of plate 310 to outlet 367A open to shoots 336behind cutting head 311 and, moreover, behind leading extremity ofopener 483 defined as leading extremity 320 of cutting head 311. InFIGS. 38, 39, and 42 illustrating implement 300 assembled and suspendedfrom shank 304, upper extremity 316 of opener 483 is connected to shank304, and opener 483 depends downwardly from shank 304 to seed boot 481located behind cutting head 311 of opener 483.

In use in reference to FIG. 42, implement 480 is suspended from shank154, and shank 154, in turn, is conventionally connected to a plow framethat is pulled by a tractor for pulling opener 483 at a preselecteddepth through surface 385 of the ground in a direction of arrowed lineI1 from the leading extremity of opener 483 to the trailing extremity ofopener 483 for cutting furrow 386 in the ground beneath surface 385 byleading extremity 320 of cutting head 311 that, in turn, defines theleading extremity of opener 483. Seeds are conventionally conveyed by anair stream from a seed hopper to conduit 372 in the direction of arrowedline J1, which conveys such stream of air-driven seeds into channel 368through inlet 366. Channel 368 is for guiding the stream of air-drivenseed forwardly through channel 368 from inlet 366 to outlet 367A atclosed end 367 in the direction of arrowed lines K1 to outlet 267A. Thestream of air-driven seed strikes closed end 367, which deflects anddivides the stream of air-driven seed outwardly through either side ofoutlet 367A through windows 491 into each said shoot 336 on either sideof seed boot 481. Each said shoot 336 on either side of outlet 367A isfor receiving its part of the air-driven stream of seed from outlet 267Aat either side of seed boot 481 and guiding its said part of the streamof air-driven seed rearwardly and angularly outwardly therethrough tointo either side of furrow 386 on either side of seed boot 481 throughopen rear end 337 as in implement 150, and also for guiding some of itssaid part of the stream of air-driven seed rearwardly and angularlyoutwardly to deflector 336A partially occluding open rear end 337, whichdeflects said some of its said part of the stream of air-driven seedforwardly and downwardly into either side of furrow 386 on either sideof seed boot 481 in the direction of arrowed line M1. The deflection ofpart of the stream of air-driven seed forwardly and downwardly intoeither side of furrow 381 by deflector 336A beneficially consolidatespart of the stream of air-driven seed downwardly and also forwardly intofurrow 381, which inhibits the deflected seed from scattering to inhibitseed loss and to provide a controlled deposition of the deflected seeddownwardly and forwardly into furrow 381.

As implement 480 is pulled through the ground, the seed is continuallydeposited angularly outwardly into either side of furrow 386 on eitherside of implement 480 through shoots 336 and downwardly into either sideof the furrow from deflectors 336A of shoots 336. In FIG. 42, fertilizertube 390 is connected via welding to lower surface 363 along the backside of outer end 361 of base 340 of seed boot 481, and extends throughchannel 491 along lower surface 363 along the underside of head 344 andthrough drop down 319. Fertilizer tube 390 is contoured to lower surface363 and the underside of head 344, and extends forwardly through dropdown 319 to outlet 391 through an outer end 392 of fertilizer tube 390that is situated against trailing extremity 321 of cutting head 311 thatextends downward from leading extremity 314 of plate 310 that protectsoutlet 391 from the ground passing underneath it to prevent outlet 391from clogging and becoming damaged. Outlet 391 and outer end 392 offertilizer tube 390 are located ahead of outlet 367A and shoots 336. Apreselected fertilizer material is continuously conveyed from afertilizer hopper to fertilizer tube 390, and fertilizer tube 290 is forconveying the fertilizer material therethrough in the direction ofarrowed lines N1 to outlet 391 of fertilizer tube 390 for applicationtherethrough into furrow 386 ahead of the applied seeds.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 480.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or perhaps fifty ormore such concurrently operating implements 480 to provide theconcurrent seeding and fertilizing of numerous furrows.

VII.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 43-47, in which there is seen stillanother embodiment of an agricultural seeder implement 500 constructedand arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention.Implement 500 is shown as it would appear assembled and in use in FIGS.43-47 for sowing a crop and includes opener 501 for cutting furrow 502(FIGS. 43, 44, 46, and 47), seed boot 504 (FIGS. 43, 44, 46, and 47),mounted to opener 501, for depositing seeds in furrow 502, frame 505mounted to opener 501, and a pair of disks, disk 506 and disk 507,mounted to frame 505. Seed boot 504 is mounted directly to opener 501,and frame 505 is mounted directly to opener 501. Accordingly, implement500 is an integrated system of opener 501, seed boot 504, frame 505, anddisks 506 and 507. Disk 506 is on a left side of implement 500 and isconsidered a left side disk of implement 500. Disk 507 is on a rightside of implement and is considered a right side disk of implement 500.Disks 506 and 507 are shown as they would appear engaging the ground inin closing positions in FIGS. 43-47 for distributing loosened soil overseeds deposited in furrow 502 by seed boot 504. As will be discussedsubsequently, disks 506 and 507 can be adjusted into opening positionsfor distributing loosened soil away from furrow 504, such as to enableapplication of fertilizer adjacent to seeds deposed into furrow 502 byseed boot 504 by a following fertilizer applicator or system. Implement500 is suspended from shank 508 of plow frame 509, shown in FIGS. 43,45, and 46, in a ground engaging position for sowing a crop. Opener 501is a chisel, which is a form of a non-moving and non-rotating opener forbeing pulled by a tractor for cutting furrow 502 in the ground at apreselected depth from the surface of the ground, and seed boot 504connected to opener 501 is for receiving a stream of air-driven seed anddepositing said stream of air-driven seed in furrow 502 formed by opener501. FIG. 43 is a left side perspective view of implement 500 shown asit would appear in use, FIG. 44 is a right side perspective view of theembodiment of FIG. 43, FIG. 45 is a left side elevation view of theembodiment of FIG. 43, the opposite right side elevation view beingsubstantially the same thereof, FIG. 46 is a rear perspective view ofthe embodiment of FIG. 43, and FIG. 47 is a rear elevation view of theembodiment of FIG. 43.

Frame 505 is mounted to opener 501 for movement between a first orlowered position in FIG. 48, and a second or raised position in FIG. 52.In FIG. 48, disks 506 and 507 are in lowered positions when frame 505 inits first or lowered position. In FIG. 52, disks 506 and 507 are inraised positions when frame 505 in its second or raised position. FIG.49 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 48, theopposite right side elevational view being substantially the samethereof, FIG. 50 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 48,and FIG. 51 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 48. FIG. 53 isa left side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 52, the oppositeright side elevational view being substantially the same thereof, andFIG. 54 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 52. In thisexample, frame 505 is mounted pivotally to opener 501 for movementbetween its first or lowered position and it second or raised position.

Referring to FIG. 48, opener 501 includes blade or plate 520, andcutting head 521. Blade or plate 520, a fixture that carries cuttinghead 521, is flat and straight in a vertical direction, and is stout,strong, robust, and of substantial construction being formed of steel orother metal having inherently strong and resilient materialcharacteristics. Plate 520 includes lower extremity 530 having leadingend 531 and trailing end 532. Plate 520 extends upright from lowerextremity 530 to upper extremity 534 having leading end 535 and trailingend 536. The back or trailing side of plate 520 is formed with bracket537. Bracket 537 extends between trailing end 536 of upper extremity 534and a middle of plate 520 between lower extremity 530 and upperextremity 534, and is coupled to shank 508 with bolt assemblies 538 and539. Leading extremity 531 carries cutting head 521, which is stout,strong, robust, and of substantial construction like that of plate 520,being formed of cast iron in this example or other selected metalmaterial having inherently strong and resilient materialcharacteristics. In this example, cutting head 521 is attached toleading extremity 531 of plate 520 with a bolt assembly 525.

Seed boot 504 is elongate and is stout, strong, robust, and ofsubstantial construction being formed of steel or other metal havinginherently strong and resilient material characteristics. Seed boot 504is connected to trailing end 532 of lower extremity 530 of plate 520with bolt assemblies 540, 541, and 542, and extends rearwardly behindplate 520 from trailing end 532 to an upright conduit 545. A channelthrough seed boot communicates with upright conduit 540 and shoots 541on either side of seed boot 504 in FIG. 50, and conducts air-driven seedthrough seed boot 504 from upright conduit 545 to shoots 546, whicheject the air-driven seed rearwardly in the furrow dug by opener 501.

Referring in relevant part to FIGS. 43-54, for reference purposesreference numeral 550A denotes a first or left side of both opener 501and seed boot 504, and reference numeral 550B denotes a second or rightside of both opener 501 and seed boot 504. Frame 505 includes supports560 and 561. Support 560 is adjacent to left side 550A of opener 501 andseed boot 504. Support 561 is adjacent to right side 550B of opener 501and seed boot 504. Support 560 on left side 550A is considered a leftside support of frame 505 of implement 500. Support 561 on right side550B is considered a right side support of frame 505 of implement 500.Disk 506, the left side disk of implement 500, is mounted to support 560adjacent to left side 550A of opener 501 and seed boot 504. Disk 507,the right side disk of implement 500, is mounted to support 561 adjacentto right side 550B of opener 501 and seed boot 504. Supports 560 and 561are mounted to opener 501 for movement between a first or loweredposition in FIG. 48, and a second or raised position in FIG. 52. In FIG.48, disks 506 and 507 are in lowered positions, when supports 560 and561 are in their first or lowered positions. In FIG. 52, disks 506 and507 are in raised positions, when supports 560 and 561 are in theirsecond or raised positions. Supports 560 and 561 are mounted pivotallyto opener 501 for movement between their first or lowered positions andtheir second or raised positions. Support 560 on left side 550A ofopener 501 is axially spaced from support 561 on right side 550B ofopener 501, and disk 506 on left side 550A of opener 501 is axiallyspaced from disk 507 on right side 550B of opener 501. Disks 506 and 507are equal in size and in shape. Supports 560 and 561 and interconnectedand pivot concurrently between their first or lowered positions andtheir second or raised positions.

Support 560, which can be referred to as a first or left side support offrame 505, is a subassembly of frame 505 and includes inner member 570and outer member 580. Inner member 570 is fashioned of an elongate steelplate that is bent to form upright part 571 and transverse part 572.Outer member 580 is also fashioned an elongate steel plate that is bentto form transverse part 581 and upright part 582. Upright part 571 hasfront end 571A and rear end 571B, is juxtaposed with upper extremity 534along left side 550A of opener 501, and extends upright to transversepart 572 that extends outwardly from left side 550A of opener 501 andsweeps rearwardly to outer end 573 connected to inner end 583 oftransverse part 581 with bolt assemblies 590, 591, and 592. Transversepart 581 extends outwardly from inner end 583 connected to outer end 573of transverse part 572 to upright part 582, which depends downwardlyfrom transverse part 581 to lower end 584. Disk 506 is mounted rotatablyto lower end 584 of upright part 582 with hub assembly 585, and ispositioned under transverse part 581 between lower end 584 of uprightpart 582 and left side 550A of opener 501 and the left side of seed boot504.

Support 561 can be referred to as a second or right side support offrame 505, is another subassembly of frame 505, and is the mirror imageof, and is identical in every respect to, support 560. Like support 560,support 561 includes inner member 570′ and outer member 580′. Innermember 570′ is fashioned an elongate steel plate that is bent to formupright part 571′ and transverse part 572′. Outer member 580′ is alsofashioned of an elongate steel plate that is bent to form transversepart 581′ and upright part 582′. Upright part 571′ has front end 571A′and rear end 571B, is juxtaposed with upper extremity 534 along rightside 550B of opener 501, and extends upright to transverse part 572′that extends outwardly from right side 550B of opener 501 and sweepsrearwardly to outer end 573′ connected to inner end 583′ of transversepart 581′ with bolt assemblies 590′, 591′, and 592′. Transverse part581′ extends outwardly from inner end 583′ connected to outer end 573′of transverse part 572′ to upright part 582′, which depends downwardlyfrom transverse part 581′ to lower end 584′. Disk 507 is mountedrotatably to lower end 584′ of upright part 582′ with hub assembly 585′,and is positioned under transverse part 581′ between lower end 584′ ofupright part 582′ and right side 550B of opener 501 and the right sideof seed boot 504.

Front ends 571A and 571A′ of upright parts 571 and 571′ of supports 560and 561 are mounted pivotally to leading end 535 of plate 520 of opener501 with pivot bolt assembly 600. The pivotally coupling of front ends571A and 571A′ of supports 560 and 561 to leading end 535 of plate 520of opener 501 with pivot bolt assembly 600 enables supports 560 and 561to pivot from their lowered positions in FIG. 48 to their raisedpositions in FIG. 52. Accordingly, frame 505 is mounted pivotally toleading end 535 of plate 520 of opener 501 with pivot bolt assembly 600.The pivotally coupling of frame 505 to leading end 535 of plate 520 ofopener 501 with pivot bolt assembly 600 enables frame 505 to pivot fromits lowered position in FIG. 48 to its raised positions in FIG. 52.

In FIG. 57, slot 610 is formed in upper extremity 535 of plate 520 ofopener 501 adjacent to trailing end 536 above bracket 537. Slot 610extends through plate 520 from one side to the other, is elongate andarcuate, and extends from a first or lower end wall 611 upwardly awayfrom bracket 537 to a second or upper end wall 612. Bolt assembly 614extends through slot 610 and connects rear end 571B of upright part 571of inner member 570 of support 560 to rear end 571B′ of upright part571′ of inner member 570′ of support 561 in FIG. 44 opposite to pivotbolt assembly 600. Pivot bolt assembly 600 pivotally connects front ends571A and 571A′ of supports 560 and 561, respectively, to leading end 535of upper extremity 534 of opener 501, and bolt assembly 614 connectsrear ends 571B and 571B′ of supports 560 and 561, which enables supports560 and 561 that form frame 505 to concurrently pivot from their firstor lowered positions in FIG. 48 to their second or raised positions inFIG. 52.

Bolt assembly 614 travels reciprocally through slot 610 between firstand second end walls 611 and 612 when supports 560 and 561, i.e. frame505, concurrently pivot between their lowered and raised positions. Inthe lowered position of frame 505, and thus supports 560 and 561, boltassembly 614 comes into direct contact against first or lower end wall611 in FIGS. 55 and 57. The dashed line position denoted at 614A in FIG.57 indicates contact of bolt assembly 614 against first end wall 611. Inthe raised position of frame 505, and thus supports 560 and 561, boltassembly 614 comes into direct contact against second or upper end wall612 as indicated by the dashed line position 614B of bolt assembly 614in FIG. 57. FIG. 56 illustrates the position of inner member 57 and boltassembly 614 relative to slot 610 in the second or raised position ofsupport 560, and dashed line positions of inner member 570 and boltassembly 614 relative to slot 610 in the first or lowered position ofsupport 560.

Supports 560 and 561 are disabled from moving beyond their first orlowered positions disabling disks 506 and 507 from moving beyond theirlowered positions when bolt assembly 614 is engaged to first or lowerend wall 611 when supports 560 and 561 are in their first or loweredpositions. In other words, frame 505 is disabled from moving beyond itsfirst or lowered position disabling disks 506 and 507 from moving beyondtheir lowered positions when bolt assembly 614 is engaged to first orlower end wall 611 when frame 505 is in its first or lowered position.Supports 560 and 561 are disabled from moving beyond their second orraised positions disabling disks 506 and 507 from moving beyond theirraised positions when bolt assembly 614 is engaged to second or upperend wall 612 when supports 560 and 561 are in their second or raisedpositions. In other words, frame 505 is disabled from moving beyond itssecond or raised position disabling disks 506 and 507 from moving beyondtheir raised positions when bolt assembly 614 is engaged to second orupper end wall 612 when frame 505 is in its second or raised position.Accordingly, the interaction of bolt assembly 614 with first and secondend walls 611 and 612 of slot 610 limits the pivotal travel of frame505, and thus supports 560 and 561, thereby limiting travel of disks 506and 507 between their lowered and raised positions.

Bolt assembly 614 can be considered to be an element carried by supports560 and 561, first end wall 611 can be considered to be a firstcomplemental element carried by opener 501, and second end wall 612 canbe considered to be a second complemental element carried by opener 501.In this respect, element 614 extends from support 560 and through slot610 in opener 501 to support 561, and element 614 travels through slot610 between the first engagement element 611 and the second engagementelement 612 when supports 560 and 561 pivot between their first orlowered positions and their second or raised positions. In other words,element 614 extends from support 560 and through slot 610 in opener 501to support 561, and element 614 travels through slot 610 between thefirst engagement element 611 and the second engagement element 612 whenframe 505 pivots between its first or lowered position and its second orraised position. Continuing with this line of discussion, supports 560and 561 are disabled from moving beyond their first or lowered positionsdisabling disks 506 and 507 from moving beyond their lowered positionswhen the element 164 is engaged to the first complemental element 611when supports 560 and 561 are in their first or lowered positions. Inother words, frame 505 is disabled from moving beyond its first orlowered position disabling disks 506 and 507 from moving beyond theirlowered positions when the element 614 is engaged to the firstcomplemental engagement 611 element when frame 505 is in its first orlowered position. Supports 560 and 561 are disabled from moving beyondtheir second or raised positions disabling disks 506 and 507 from movingbeyond their raised positions when the element 614 is engaged to thesecond complemental engagement element 612 when supports 560 and 561 arein their second or raised positions. In other words, frame 505 isdisabled from moving beyond its second or raised position disablingdisks 506 and 507 from moving beyond their raised positions when theelement 614 is engaged to the second complemental engagement element 612when frame 505 is in its second or raised position. Accordingly, theinteraction of the element 614 with first and second complementalengagement elements 611 and 612 limits the pivotal travel of frame 505,and thus supports 560 and 561, thereby limiting travel of disks 506 and507 between their lowered and raised positions.

Looking back to FIGS. 43-47, implement 500 is shown assembled and in usein a ground-engaging position for sowing a crop. In use, implement 500is suspended from shank 508 connected to plow frame 509 in FIGS. 43, 45,and 46 in a ground engaging position and is pulled by a tractor forpulling opener 501 forwardly at a preselected depth through the surfaceof the ground for cutting furrow 502 in the ground. Seeds areconventionally conveyed by an air stream from a seed hopper into seedboot 504 through upright conduit 545, and the seeds are ejectedoutwardly in furrow 502 from seed boot 504 through shoots 546. Asimplement 500 is pulled through the ground, opener 501 continually cutsfurrow 502 and the seed is continually deposited in furrow 502 from seedboot 504. Opener 501 cuts furrow 501 when implement 500 is pulled by atractor when implement 500 is in the ground engaging position, andair-driven seeds are applied into seed boot 504 through upright conduit545 and are ejected into furrow 502 through the shoots 546 (see FIG.50). Disks 506 and 507 continually engage the ground on left and rightsides 550A and 550B of opener 501 and seed boot 504 and in their closingpositions distribute loosened soil over seeds deposited in furrow 502 byseed boot 504. Opener 501 is set to a preselected depth in the ground tocut furrow 502 at the preselected depth for application of seeds intothe furrow from seed boot 504. The pivotal coupling of frame 505 toopener 501 enables disks 506 and 507 to displace upwardly and downwardlyas they run over the ground, which enables disks 506 and 507 to maintaincontact with the ground which, in turn, enables disks 506 and 507 tocontinually distribute loosened soil over the seeds deposited intofurrow 502 when disks 506 and 507 are in their closing positions.

In their closing or “toe out” positions as seen in FIG. 51, the front ofdisks 506 and 507 point outwardly away from the centerline 620 ofimplement 500 enabling the inner surfaces 506A and 507A of disks 506 and507 to face the direction of travel of implement 500 and deflectloosened soil inwardly toward furrow 502. Frame 505 and disks 506 and507 are, and function as, a “closer” mounted to opener 501 fordistributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in the furrow 502 byseed boot 504, when disks 506 and 507 are in their closing or “toe out”positions.

According to the principle of the invention, disks 506 and 507 areadjustable from their closing or “toe out” positions as seen in FIG. 51to opening/spreading or “toe in” positions. In the opening or “toe in”positions, the front of disks 506 and 507 point inwardly toward thecenterline 620 of implement 500 enabling the outer surfaces of disks 506and 507 to face the direction of travel of implement 500 todeflect/distribute loosened soil away from furrow 502, which is usefulfor assisting in the subsequent application of fertilizers. Disks 506and 507 are adjustable between their closing and opening positions viaadjustment of outer members 580 and 580′ relative to inner members 570and 570′, respectively. Frame 505 and disks 506 and 507 are, andfunction as, a “spreader” mounted to opener 501 for distributing, i.e.spreading, loosened soil away from furrow 502, when disks 506 and 507are in their opening or “toe in” positions.

In FIG. 62, three holes 630, 631, and 632 are formed in outer end 573 oftransverse part 572 of inner member 570 of support 560. Bolt assembly592 carried by inner end 583 is applied to hole 632, which aligns holes630 and 631 with elongated holes 640 and 641 in inner end 583 oftransverse part 581 of outer member 580 as seen in FIG. 62. Hole 632defines the pivot point of outer member 580 to inner member 570, andelongated holes 640 and 641 describe an arc of a circle. Elongate hole640, which is a forward elongate hole, has rearward end wall 640A andforward end wall 640B, and elongate hole 641, which is a rearwardelongate hole, has rearward end wall 641A and forward end wall 641B.Outer member 580 is enabled to pivot about bolt assembly 592 relative toouter end 573 of transverse part 582 of inner member 570 between a firstor closing position in FIG. 63, a second or opening position in FIG. 64,and at any position therebetween, such as an intermediate positionbetween the first or closing position in FIG. 63 and the second oropening position in FIG. 64, when bolt assembly 592 is loosened. Holes630 and 631 are registered with rearward end walls 640A and 641A,respectively, when outer member 580 is in its first or closing positionin FIG. 63. Holes 630 and 631 are registered with forward end walls 640Aand 641A, respectively, when outer member 580 is in its second oropening position in FIG. 64. Hole 630 is between rearward end wall 640Aand forward end wall 640B and hole 631 is between rearward end wall 641Aand forward end wall 641B, when outer member 580 is between its first orclosing position and it second or opening position in FIG. 65. Disk 506is in its closing position when holes 630 and 631 are registered withrearward end walls 640A and 641A, respectively, when outer member 580 isin its first or closing position in FIG. 63. Disk 506 is in its openingposition when holes 630 and 631 are registered with forward end walls640A and 641A, respectively, when outer member 580 is in its second oropening position in FIG. 64. Disk 506 is between its closing positionand its open position when hole 630 is between rearward end wall 640Aand forward end wall 640B and hole 631 is between rearward end wall 641Aand forward end wall 641B, when outer member 580 is between its first orclosing position and it second or opening position in FIG. 65. Aftersetting outer member 580 to a selected position, bolt assembly 592 canbe tightened, bolt assembly 590 can be applied to holes 630 and 640 andtightened, and bolt assembly 591 can be applied to hoes 631 and 641 andtightened.

In order to pivotally adjust outer member 580 to adjust disk 580 to itsclosing position, its opening position, or to any position therebetween,bolt assemblies 590, 591, and 592 can simply be loosened to enablepivotal adjustment of outer member 580 and then re-tightened to setouter member 580 in place. Outer member 580 is disabled from movingbeyond its closing position disabling disk 506 from moving beyond itsclosing position when bolt assemblies 590 and 591 encounter rearward endwalls 640A and 641A, respectively. Outer member 580 is disabled frommoving beyond its opening position disabling disk 506 from moving beyondits opening position when bolt assemblies 590 and 591 encounter forwardend walls 640B and 641B, respectively.

Disk 507 of support 561 is adjusted between its closing and openingpositions identically to that of disk 506 of support 560, and theforegoing discussion of the adjustment of disk 506 of support 560between its closing and opening positions applies in every respect todisk 507 of support 561. As a matter of illustration and reference, FIG.51 illustrates dashed outline positions of outer member 580 and disk 506of support 560 and outer member 580′ and disk 507 as they would appearin their opening positions. In the opening or “toe in” positions, thefront of disks 506 and 507 point inwardly toward the centerline 620 ofimplement 500 enabling the outer surfaces 506B and 507B of disks 506 and507 to distribute loosened soil away furrow 502, which is useful forassisting in the subsequent application of fertilizers.

FIG. 66 is a view similar to FIG. 61 illustrating disk 506 in an extremeopening position. In FIG. 66, outer member 580 is pivoted to an extremeopening position to align elongate hole 640 with hole 631 (not shown),and is secured in place with tightened bolt assemblies 591 and 592. Inthis extreme opening position of outer member 580, disk 506 is in anextreme opening or “toe in” position, whereby the front of disk 506points inwardly toward the centerline 620 of implement 500 at a steeperangle compared to the dashed outline opening position of disk 506 inFIG. 51, which enables outer surface 506B of disk 506 to aggressivelydistribute loosened soil away furrow 502, which, again, is useful forassisting in the subsequent application of fertilizers. Outer member580′ and disk 507 of support 561 can be identically adjusted.

In sum, agricultural seeder implement 500 includes opener 501 forcutting furrow 502, seed boot 504, mounted to opener 501, for depositingseeds in furrow 502, and closer 505,506,507, mounted to opener 505, fordistributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in furrow 502 by seedboot 504. Closer 505,506,507 includes frame 505 mounted to opener 501,and a pair of closing disks 506,507, mounted to frame 505, fordistributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in furrow 502 by seedboot 504. Frame 505 is mounted pivotally to opener 501 for movementbetween a first or lowered position and a second or raised position. Thepair of closing disks 506,507 is in a lowered position, when frame 505is in the first position. The pair of closing disks 506,507 is in araised position, when frame 505 is in the second position. An element614 is carried by frame 505, and a first complemental element 611 and asecond complemental element 612 are carried by opener 501. Frame 505 isdisabled from moving beyond the first position disabling the pair ofclosing disks 506,507 from moving beyond the lowered position, when theelement 614 is engaged to the first complemental element 611 when theframe is in the first position. Frame 505 is disabled from moving beyondthe second position disabling the pair of closing disks 506,507 frommoving beyond the raised position, when the element 614 is engaged tothe second complemental element 612 when frame 505 is in the secondposition.

In another aspect, agricultural seeder implement 500 includes opener 501for cutting furrow 502, seed boot 504, mounted to opener 501, fordepositing seeds in furrow 502, frame 505 mounted to opener 501, andfirst disk 506 and second disk 507 each mounted to frame 505. First disk506 and second disk 507 are each adjustable between a closing positionand an opening position. First disk 506 and second disk 507 are fordistributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in furrow 502 by seedboot 504, when first disk 506 and second disk 507 are each in theclosing position. First disk 506 and second disk 507 are fordistributing loosened soil away from furrow 502, when first disk 506 andsecond disk 507 are each in the opening position. Frame 505 is mountedpivotally to opener 501 for movement between a first or lowered positionand a second or raised position. First disk 506 and second disk 507 areeach in a lowered position, when frame 505 is in the first position.First disk 506 and second disk 507 are each in a raised position, whenframe 505 is in the second position. Element 614 is carried by frame505, and first complemental element 611 and second complemental element612 are carried by opener 501. Frame 505 is disabled from moving beyondthe first position disabling the pair of closing disks 506,507 frommoving beyond the lowered position, when element 614 is engaged to firstcomplemental element 611 when frame 505 is in the first position. Frame505 is disabled from moving beyond the second position disabling thepair of closing disks 506,507 from moving beyond the raised position,when element 614 is engaged to second complemental element 612 whenframe 505 is in the second position.

In yet another aspect, agricultural seeder implement 500 includes opener501 for cutting furrow 502, seed boot 504, mounted to opener 501, fordepositing seeds in furrow 502, first support 560 and second support 561mounted to opener 501, first support 560 is adjacent to first side 550Aof opener 501, second support 561 is adjacent to second side 550B ofopener 501, first closing disk 506 mounted to first support 560 adjacentto first side 550A of opener 501, second closing disk 507 mounted tosecond support 561 adjacent to second side 550B of opener 501, and firstclosing disk 506 and second closing disk 507 are for distributingloosened soil over seeds deposited in furrow 502 by seed boot 504. Firstsupport 560 and second support 560 are each mounted pivotally to opener501 for movement between a first or lowered position and a second orraised position. First closing disk 506 and second closing disk 507 areeach in a lowered position, when first support 560 and second support561 are each in the first position. First closing disk 506 and secondclosing disk 507 are each in a raised position, when first support 560and second support 561 are each in the second position. Element 614 iscarried by first support 560 and second support 561, and firstcomplemental element 611 and second complemental element 612 are carriedby opener 501. First support 560 and second support 561 are disabledfrom moving beyond the first positions thereof disabling first disk 506and second disk 507 from moving beyond the lowered positions thereof,when element 614 is engaged to first complemental element 611 when firstsupport 560 and second support 561 are in the first positions thereof.First support 560 and second support 561 are disabled from moving beyondthe second positions thereof disabling first disk 506 and second disk507 from moving beyond the raised positions thereof, when element 614 isengaged to second complemental element 612 when first support 560 andsecond support 561 are in the second positions thereof. Element 614extends from first support 560 and through slot 610 in opener 501 tosecond support 561. Slot 610 is elongate and extends from first end wall611 to second end wall 612. Element 614 travels through slot 610 betweenfirst end wall 611 and second end wall 612 when first support 560 andsecond support 561 pivot between the first and second positions thereof.First end wall 611 is first complemental element 611, and second endwall 612 is second complemental element 612. Element is a bolt assembly614 connecting first support 560 to second support 561.

In still a further aspect, agricultural seeder implement 500 includesopener 501 for cutting furrow 502, seed boot 5004, mounted to opener501, for depositing seeds in furrow 502, first support 560 and secondsupport 561 mounted to opener 501, first support 560 is adjacent tofirst side 550A of opener 501, second support 561 is adjacent to secondside 550B of opener 501, first disk 506 mounted to first support 560adjacent to first side 550A of opener 501, and second disk 507 mountedto second support 561 adjacent to second side 550B of opener 501. Firstdisk 506 and second disk 561 are each adjustable between a closingposition and an opening position. First disk 506 and second disk 507 arefor distributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in furrow 502 byseed boot 504, when first disk 506 and second disk 507 are each in theclosing position. First disk 506 and second disk 507 are fordistributing loosened soil away from furrow 502, when first disk 506 andsecond disk 507 are each in the opening position. First support 560 andsecond support 561 are each mounted pivotally to opener 501 for movementbetween a first position and a second position. First disk 560 andsecond disk 561 are each in a lowered position, when first support 560and second support 561 are each in the first position. First disk 506and second disk 507 are each in a raised position, when first support560 and second support 561 are each in the second position. Element 614is carried by first support 560 and second support 561, and firstcomplemental element 611 and second complemental element 612 are carriedby opener 501. First support 560 and second support 561 are disabledfrom moving beyond the first positions thereof disabling first disk 506and second disk 507 from moving beyond the lowered positions thereof,when element 614 is engaged to first complemental element 611 when firstsupport 560 and second support 561 are in the first positions thereof.First support 560 and second support 561 are disabled from moving beyondthe second positions thereof disabling first disk 506 and second disk507 from moving beyond the raised positions thereof, when element 614 isengaged to second complemental element 612 when first support 560 andsecond support 561 are in the second positions thereof. Element 614extends from first support 560 and through slot 610 in opener 501 tosecond support 561. Slot 610 is elongate and extends from first end wall611 to second end wall 612. Element 614 travels through slot 610 betweenfirst end wall 611 and second end wall 612 when first support 560 andsecond support 561 pivot between the first and second positions thereof.First end wall 611 first complemental element 611, and second end wall612 is second complemental element 612. Element 614 is bolt assembly 614connecting first support 560 to second support 561.

The above discussion is limited to the operation of one implement 500.Those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that a plowframe can incorporate ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or perhaps fifty ormore such concurrently operating implements 500 in the sowing of a crop.Moreover, any combination of opener and seed boot disclosed herein canbe used with frame 505 and disks 506 and 507 in alternate embodiments.

The various embodiments of the present invention are presented hereinfor illustrative purposes. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges and modifications can be made to the embodiments withoutdeparting from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changesand modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes ofillustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To theextent that such modifications and variations do not depart from thespirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within thescope thereof.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms asto enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,the invention claimed is:

The invention claimed is:
 1. An agricultural seeder implement,comprising: an opener for cutting a furrow; a seed boot, mounted to theopener, for depositing seeds in the furrow; a frame mounted to theopener; a first disk and a second disk each mounted to the frame; thefirst disk and the second disk are each adjustable between a closingposition and an opening position; the first disk and the second disk fordistributing loosened soil over seeds deposited in the furrow by theseed boot, when the first disk and the second disk are each in theclosing position; and the first disk and the second disk fordistributing loosened soil away from the furrow, when the first disk andthe second disk are each in the opening position.
 2. The agriculturalseeder implement according to claim 1, wherein: the frame is mountedpivotally to the opener for movement between a first position and asecond position; the first disk and the second disk are each in alowered position, when the frame is in the first position; and the firstdisk and the second disk are each in a raised position, when the frameis in the second position.
 3. The agricultural seeder implementaccording to claim 2, further comprising: an element carried by theframe; a first complemental element and a second complemental elementcarried by the opener; the frame is disabled from moving beyond thefirst position disabling the pair of closing disks from moving beyondthe lowered position, when the element is engaged to the firstcomplemental element when the frame is in the first position; and theframe is disabled from moving beyond the second position disabling thepair of closing disks from moving beyond the raised position, when theelement is engaged to the second complemental element when the frame isin the second position.
 4. An agricultural seeder implement, comprising:an opener for cutting a furrow; a seed boot, mounted to the opener, fordepositing seeds in the furrow; a first support and a second supportmounted to the opener; the first support is adjacent to a first side ofthe opener; the second support is adjacent to a second side of theopener; a first closing disk mounted to the first support adjacent tothe first side of the opener; a second closing disk mounted to thesecond support adjacent to the second side of the opener; the firstclosing disk and the second closing disk are for distributing loosenedsoil over seeds deposited in the furrow by the seed boot; the firstsupport and the second support are each mounted pivotally to the openerfor movement between a first position and a second position; the firstclosing disk and the second closing disk are each in a lowered position,when the first support and the second support are each in the firstposition; the first closing disk and the second closing disk are each ina raised position, when the first support and the second support areeach in the second position; an element carried by the first support andthe second support; a first complemental element and a secondcomplemental element carried by the opener; the first support and thesecond support are disabled from moving beyond the first positionsthereof disabling the first disk and the second disk from moving beyondthe lowered positions thereof, when the element is engaged to the firstcomplemental element when the first support and the second support arein the first positions thereof; the first support and the second supportare disabled from moving beyond the second positions thereof disablingthe first disk and the second disk from moving beyond the raisedpositions thereof, when the element is engaged to the secondcomplemental element when the first support and the second support arein the second positions thereof; the element extends from the firstsupport and through a slot in the opener to the second support; the slotis elongate and extends from a first end wall to a second end wall; theelement travels through the slot between the first end wall and thesecond end wall when the first support and the second support pivotbetween the first and second positions thereof; the first end wallcomprises the first complemental element; and the second end wallcomprises the second complemental element.
 5. The agricultural seederimplement according to claim 4, wherein the element is a bolt assemblyconnecting the first support to the second support.
 6. An agriculturalseeder implement, comprising: an opener for cutting a furrow; a seedboot, mounted to the opener, for depositing seeds in the furrow; a firstsupport and a second support mounted to the opener; the first support isadjacent to a first side of the opener; the second support is adjacentto a second side of the opener; a first disk mounted to the firstsupport; a second disk mounted to the second support; the first disk andthe second disk are each adjustable between a closing position and anopening position; the first disk and the second disk for distributingloosened soil over seeds deposited in the furrow by the seed boot, whenthe first disk and the second disk are each in the closing position; andthe first disk and the second disk for distributing loosened soil awayfrom the furrow, when the first disk and the second disk are each in theopening position.
 7. The agricultural seeder implement according toclaim 6, wherein: the first support and the second support are eachmounted pivotally to the opener for movement between a first positionand a second position; the first disk and the second disk are each in alowered position, when the first support and the second support are eachin the first position; and the first disk and the second disk are eachin a raised position, when the first support and the second support areeach in the second position.
 8. The agricultural seeder implementaccording to claim 7, further comprising: an element carried by thefirst support and the second support; a first complemental element and asecond complemental element carried by the opener; the first support andthe second support are disabled from moving beyond the first positionsthereof disabling the first disk and the second disk from moving beyondthe lowered positions thereof, when the element is engaged to the firstcomplemental element when the first support and the second support arein the first positions thereof; and the first support and the secondsupport are disabled from moving beyond the second positions thereofdisabling the first disk and the second disk from moving beyond theraised positions thereof, when the element is engaged to the secondcomplemental element when the first support and the second support arein the second positions thereof.
 9. The agricultural seeder implementaccording to claim 8, further comprising: the element extends from thefirst support and through a slot in the opener to the second support;the slot is elongate and extends from a first end wall to a second endwall; the element travels through the slot between the first end walland the second end wall when the first support and the second supportpivot between the first and second positions thereof; the first end wallcomprises the first complemental element; and the second end wallcomprises the second complemental element.
 10. The agricultural seederimplement according to claim 9, wherein the element is a bolt assemblyconnecting the first support to the second support.
 11. An agriculturalimplement, comprising: an opener for cutting a furrow; a frame mountedto the opener; a first disk and a second disk each mounted to the frame;the first disk and the second disk are each adjustable between a closingposition and an opening position; the first disk and the second disk fordistributing loosened soil toward the furrow, when the first disk andthe second disk are each in the closing position; and the first disk andthe second disk for distributing loosened soil away from the furrow,when the first disk and the second disk are each in the openingposition.
 12. The agricultural implement according to claim 11, wherein:the frame is mounted pivotally to the opener for movement between afirst position and a second position; the first disk and the second diskare each in a lowered position, when the frame is in the first position;and the first disk and the second disk are each in a raised position,when the frame is in the second position.
 13. The agricultural implementaccording to claim 12, further comprising: an element carried by theframe; a first complemental element and a second complemental elementcarried by the opener; the frame is disabled from moving beyond thefirst position disabling the pair of closing disks from moving beyondthe lowered position, when the element is engaged to the firstcomplemental element when the frame is in the first position; and theframe is disabled from moving beyond the second position disabling thepair of closing disks from moving beyond the raised position, when theelement is engaged to the second complemental element when the frame isin the second position.
 14. An agricultural implement, comprising: anopener for cutting a furrow; a first support and a second supportmounted to the opener; the first support is adjacent to a first side ofthe opener; the second support is adjacent to a second side of theopener; a first disk mounted to the first support; a second disk mountedto the second support; the first disk and the second disk are eachadjustable between a closing position and an opening position; the firstdisk and the second disk for distributing loosened toward the furrow,when the first disk and the second disk are each in the closingposition; and the first disk and the second disk for distributingloosened soil away from the furrow, when the first disk and the seconddisk are each in the opening position.
 15. The agricultural implementaccording to claim 14, wherein: the first support and the second supportare each mounted pivotally to the opener for movement between a firstposition and a second position; the first disk and the second disk areeach in a lowered position, when the first support and the secondsupport are each in the first position; and the first disk and thesecond disk are each in a raised position, when the first support andthe second support are each in the second position.
 16. The agriculturalimplement according to claim 15, further comprising: an element carriedby the first support and the second support; a first complementalelement and a second complemental element carried by the opener; thefirst support and the second support are disabled from moving beyond thefirst positions thereof disabling the first disk and the second diskfrom moving beyond the lowered positions thereof, when the element isengaged to the first complemental element when the first support and thesecond support are in the first positions thereof; and the first supportand the second support are disabled from moving beyond the secondpositions thereof disabling the first disk and the second disk frommoving beyond the raised positions thereof, when the element is engagedto the second complemental element when the first support and the secondsupport are in the second positions thereof.
 17. The agriculturalimplement according to claim 16, further comprising: the element extendsfrom the first support and through a slot in the opener to the secondsupport; the slot is elongate and extends from a first end wall to asecond end wall; the element travels through the slot between the firstend wall and the second end wall when the first support and the secondsupport pivot between the first and second positions thereof; the firstend wall comprises the first complemental element; and the second endwall comprises the second complemental element.
 18. The agriculturalimplement according to claim 17, wherein the element is a bolt assemblyconnecting the first support to the second support.